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Columbus Crew will welcome Real Esteli to the Mapfre Stadium on Friday for the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions League round-of-16 tie.
The hosts hold an overwhelming advantage, having dispatched Esteli 4-0 in the first leg played in Nicaragua last week. All four goals came in the first half to help the Crew register a convincing victory.
The winner of this tie will square off against either Atletico Pantoja or Monterrey in the quarterfinals.
Columbus Crew vs Real Esteli Head-to-Head
This will be only the second meeting between the sides, with their first clash last week representing their maiden fixture.
A brace from Gyasi Zardes, added to goals by Jonathan Mensah and Pedro Santos, helped the MLS Cup champions to a 4-0 away win.
It was both sides' first game in over four months. Columbus Crew have not been in action since defeating the Seattle Sounders in the final of the 2020 MLS Cup.
The Nicaraguayan league has been on hiatus for almost a year but Estelli defeated fellow Nicaraguayans CD Motagua in a playoff round in December to secure their spot in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League.
Columbus Crew form guide: W
Real Estelli form guide: L
Columbus Crew vs Real Esteli Team News
Columbus Crew
The hosts have forward Kevin Molono sidelined with a hamstring injury. He is expected to be out of action for four to six weeks.
Darlington Nagbe and Derrick Etienne Jr both took knocks in the first leg and are doubts for the return fixture. Marlon Hairston's participation is also in doubt as the right-back has a bruised knee.
There are no suspension concerns for head coach Caleb Porter.
Injury: Kevin Molino
Doubtful: Marlon Hairston, Darlington Dagbe, Derrick Etienne
Suspension: None
Real Estelli
There are no known injury or suspension worries for the visitors.
Injuries: None
Suspension: None
Columbus Crew vs Real Esteli Predicted XI
Columbus Crew Predicted XI (4-2-31): Eloy Room (GK); Milton Valenzuela. Josh Williams, Jonathan Mensah, Grant Lillard; Artur, Aidan Morris; Pedro Santos, Lucas Zelerayan, Diaz Espinoza; Gyazi Zardes
Real Esteli Predicted XI (4-4-2): Alvaro Rezzano (GK); Manuel Rosas, Josue Quijano, Oscar Acevado, Vitor Faisca; Jorge Andres Bentancur, Juan Barrera, Harold Medina, Rodriguez Alvez; Henry Garcia, Carlos Chavarria
Columbus Crew vs Real Esteli Prediction
Columbus Crew's emphatic victory away from home in the first leg highlights the difference in class between the sides.
We are predicting another convincing victory for the MLS outfit.
Prediction: Columbus Crew 3-0 Real Esteli
