LDU Quito vs. Always Ready – News and Probable Lineups

LDU Quito and Always Ready will wrap up their Copa Libertadores group stage efforts this Tuesday as they meet in the last round of matches at Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado.

The home team requires just one point to secure a top-two finish and a place in the round of 16, while their opponents need to win to have a shot at finishing third and earning a spot in the Copa Sudamericana.

Match overview

LDU Quito returns to Copa Libertadores play on Tuesday aiming to finish the group stage with a win that would secure their progress to the knockout stage and potentially clinch the group top spot.

They qualified for the group stage after finishing second in Ecuador’s top division in 2025 and began strongly, securing a 1-0 victory at Always Ready in the opening match before defeating Brazilian team Mirassol 2-0 at home.

However, back-to-back away defeats followed against Lanus and Mirassol, but Tiago Nunes’s squad managed to avenge one of those losses last week, hosting Lanus after two league victories which propelled them to fourth place.

The Albos claimed another three points in the group stage with a 2-0 victory in Ecuador, taking the lead with a 74th-minute own goal from Felipe Pena Biafore before Fernando Cornejo sealed the win in injury time.

Currently in second place with nine points, sitting three behind group leaders Mirassol and three ahead of third-placed Lanus, LDU Quito heads into Wednesday’s fixture following a league draw with Deportivo Cuenca, aware that a draw will confirm their knockout stage entry while a win could see them top the group.

For their part, the visitors arrive with slim hopes of clinching third place with a win in their final group clash.

Always Ready has made a return to the Copa Libertadores group stage for the first time since 2022, having secured their fourth Bolivian top division title in 2025, but they have faced a challenging tournament, starting with a home loss to LDU Quito and falling short against Lanus and Mirassol in away matches.

A first victory came at home to Lanus, with Richet Gomez, Enrique Triverio, Joel Amoroso, and Marcelo Suarez scoring in a commanding 4-0 win; however, they struggled to maintain that momentum last week when they were unable to secure third place.

Following a domestic draw and a home defeat to The Strongest, which left them in third in the Bolivian Division Profesional, Julio Cesar Baldivieso’s squad hosted Mirassol last Wednesday and fell behind. They managed to equalize in the 75th minute through Jesus Maraude, yet Nathan Fogaca restored the visitors’ lead, denying them a point with eight minutes remaining.

Now fourth and trailing Lanus by three points for third place, which would advance them to the Copa Sudamericana knockout stage, Always Ready must secure an away victory on Wednesday and hope that Mirassol can defeat Lanus to keep their continental hopes alive.

Team News

LDU Quito will be without defender Luis Segovia, who is suspended after accumulating three yellow cards in the recent group stage match.

Forward Janner Corozo is also unavailable due to an injury that has kept him out since mid-April, leading to the probable use of Michael Estrada and Deyverson in attacking roles.

Additionally, Cornejo, Gabriel Villamil, and Jesus Pretell are important figures in the midfield and will remain available on Wednesday, with Cornejo particularly supporting the forward duo from midfield.

Always Ready will continue to miss defender Luis Caicedo, who has been sidelined for the last four matches due to injury, and Dario Torrico also had to come off in the first half against Mirassol.

The 18-year-old Maraude is expected to maintain his place on the wing after scoring his first Copa Libertadores goal last week, bringing his tally to two goals and two assists in the last seven games across all competitions.

Veteran Enrique Triverio could keep leading the attack, while Hector Cuellar and Fernando Saucedo are central figures in midfield.

LDU Quito probable starting XI:

Valley; Menendez, Ade, L Quinonez; Quintero, Cornejo, Pretell, Villamill, and Quinonez; Deyverson, Estrada

Always Ready probable starting XI:

Baroja; Rodriguez, Gomez, Suarez, Rodriguez; Cuellar; Nava, Saucedo, Lima, Maraude; Triverio

Although Always Ready must win to have any hope of finishing third, and a draw suffices for LDU Quito, it appears that the hosts boast greater quality than the Bolivian champions, likely capping the group stage with a fourth victory and an unblemished home record.