The knockout stages of the 2022 Copa Sudamericana commence this week and will see Sao Paulo host Universidad Catolica on Thursday in the second leg of their last 16 tie.Sao Paulo have found good form of late as they picked up a dramatic 4-2 win in the first leg via an early penalty strike from Reinaldo and a brace from Luciano which gave them a three-goal lead at the break. Jonathan Calleri later added a fourth before becoming one of three players to get sent off for the Soberano.The Brasileiro Serie A outfit will be looking to hold on to their lead this week as they continue their hunt for a first continental title in a decade.Universidad Catolica failed to capitalize on their home, numerical and possessional advantages in the first leg. They ended the game having over 70 percent of the ball and three more men than their opponents but failed to show incisiveness in the final third. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostThe visitors need a huge win in hostile territory this weekend to avoid back-to-back round of 16 exits on the continental stage.Sao Paulo vs Universidad Catolica Head-to-HeadThere have been five meetings between Sao Paulo and Universidad Catolica. The Brazilian club are undefeated in all five matchups, winning twice and drawing the other three, a run they will seek to extend this week.Sao Paulo Form Guide (All Competitions): W-W-D-W-LUniversidad Catolica Form Guide (All Competitions): W-L-W-W-WSao Paulo vs Universidad Catolica Team NewsSao PauloThe hosts have a lengthy list of absentees ahead of their clash including Nikão, Gabriel Sara, Alisson, Luan Santos and Andres Colorado, who are all injured. Igor Vinicius, Rodrigo Nestor and Jonathan Calleri all received red cards in the first leg and will miss out as a result, while Robert Aborleda is a doubt.Injured: Nikão, Gabriel Sara, Alisson, Luan Santos, Andres ColoradoDoubtful: Robert AborledaSuspended: Igor Vinicius, Rodrigo Nestor, Jonathan CalleriUniversidad CatolicaClemente Montes, Lucas Melano and Juan Leiva are all injured and will not play for the Chilean club on Thursday.Injured: Clemente Montes, Lucas Melano, Juan LeivaDoubtful: NoneSuspended: NoneSao Paulo vs Universidad Catolica Predicted XISao Paulo Predicted XI (3-5-2): Jandrei; Diego Costa, Miranda, Léo; Reinaldo, Pablo Maia, Gabriel Neves, Igor Gomes, Rafinha; Eder, Luciano View this post on Instagram Instagram PostUniversidad Catolica Predicted XI (4-3-3): Sebastián Pérez; Mauricio Isla, Daniel González, Tomás Astaburuaga, Alfonso Parot; Ignacio Saavedra, Marcelino Núñez, Luciano Aued; José Pedro Fuenzalida, Fernando Zampedri, Crsitián Cuevas$1,100 First Bet Insurance at CaesarsSao Paulo vs Universidad Catolica PredictionSao Paulo are on a run of back-to-back victories and are undefeated in their last four games across all competitions. They have won all three of their Copa Libertadores games on home turf and will be targeting a fourth on Thursday.Universidad Catolica have won four of their last five games across all competitions. However, they have a poor record in this fixture and could see their continental campaign end this weekend.Prediction: Sao Paulo 2-1 Universidad Catolica