Audax vs Barracas Central – News and Probable Lineups

On Tuesday, May 19, Audax Italiano will welcome Barracas Central for a match at 23:00 BST, marking the fifth round of Group G in the 2026 Copa Sudamericana.

Taking place in Santiago, this match is critical for the Chilean team, currently sitting third in a competitive group—Vasco da Gama and Olimpia both lead with seven points each, while Audax Italiano trails with four and Barracas Central has three.

Match overview

Audax Italiano enters this fixture seeking to gain ground in Group G after a 2–1 loss to Vasco da Gama in the previous matchday, where they initially took the lead through an own goal by Uruguayan defender Alan Saldivia, but the Brazilian team turned it around with goals from Claudio Spinelli, from the penalty spot, and Matheus Franca in a damaging 10-minute stretch.

This defeat left Audax in third position with four points, meaning they are still in the race for qualification but must avoid further mistakes at home, especially as matchday five could play a pivotal role in the group standings with Olimpia hosting Vasco da Gama in another key matchup.

Audax also has recent history against Barracas Central in this tournament; their last encounter at Estadio Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia on April 29 concluded in a tense 1–1 draw, with Rodrigo Bogarín giving the Argentine side the lead in the 41st minute before Fabian Loyola equalized for the visitors deep into stoppage time at 90+5 minutes.

Before that reverse fixture, pre-match statistics gave Audax Italiano a 38.18 percent chance of winning compared to Barracas Central’s 33.46 percent, and a 28.39 percent likelihood for a draw, with a 1–0 home win considered the most probable outcome at 11.56 percent, although the actual result was a 1–1 draw, which had a 13.16 percent probability.

Barracas Central comes into this match at the bottom of Group G but remains mathematically viable in the competition following a 2–1 home defeat to Olimpia on matchday four, where Alex Franco scored a last-minute winner for the Paraguayan team.

The Argentine side is still in search of their first victory in the 2026 Copa Sudamericana, having gathered three points from three draws and one loss. The group is tightly contested with Vasco da Gama and Olimpia both holding seven points, followed by Audax with four and Barracas with three; hence, a win in Santiago would greatly enhance their hopes for qualification.

In recent weeks, Barracas Central has shown a tendency to draw matches, with their competitive record reflecting a series of closely contested results, including a 1–1 draw with Racing Club and goalless stalemates against Belgrano, Olimpia, and Vasco da Gama. However, they have also suffered 2–1 losses to both Sarmiento and Olimpia in the Copa Sudamericana.

Team News

Audax Italiano is anticipated to deploy a familiar formation, with Tomas Ahumada in goal and a defensive lineup featuring Enzo Ferrario, Marcelo Ortiz, and Daniel Pina.

Paolo Guajardo and Esteban Matus are expected to function as wide midfielders, while Marco Collao and Federico Mateos will anchor the midfield. Further up the pitch, Michael Vadulli is likely to link play between Diego Coelho and Giovanni Chiaverano.

The Chilean side needs to enhance their home performance, especially following the setback against Vasco—maintaining better control of the match and preventing defensive errors that previously cost them will be vital.

Barracas Central is predicted to line up with Juan Espinola in goal, supported by a back three comprising Nicolas Caparo, Fernando Tobio, and Nicolas Demartini.

Damian Martinez and Rodrigo Insua are expected to provide width on the flanks, while Dardo Miloc and Ivan Tapia will manage the central midfield. In the attacking phase, Tomas Porra, Facundo Bruera, and Norberto Briasco are expected to spearhead the Argentine team’s offensive threat.

Barracas may not have won in the group yet, but their ability to keep matches tight and defensively sound could pose challenges for Audax—particularly if they manage to disrupt the game’s flow and limit their opponents’ attacking chances.

Audax Italiano probable starting XI:

Smoked; Ferrario, Ortiz, Pina; Guajardo, Collao, Mateos, Matus; Vadulli; Coelho, Chiaverano

Barracas Central probable starting XI:

Espinola; Caparo, Tobio, Demartini; Martinez, Miloc, Tapia, Insua; Porra, Bruera, Briasco

As Audax Italiano approaches this fixture, they recognize that a victory is critical for their survival in Group G, but Barracas Central has already proven they can turn the match into a challenging, low-scoring event.

The last encounter between these two teams ended in a 1–1 draw, and the statistical breakdown of that match indicated a balanced affair with a strong likelihood of fewer than 2.5 goals.

Considering the circumstances, the pressure on both teams, and recent performances, another draw seems to be the most probable outcome—though Audax may take the initiative given their home advantage and the necessity of securing three points.