Macara vs Santos - CONMEBOL Sudamericana

Season-defining implications hang over this CONMEBOL Sudamericana clash at the home ground, where Macara host Santos on August 20, 2026 knowing the result could shape the run-in for both clubs. Just as was the case in the previous meeting between the teams in April of last year, when Emery's side gave them such a scare in the Champions League tie at Villa Park, PSG were hanging on at the end.

Positionally there is a clear hierarchy: Macara sit 1st, Santos lie 2nd, but the CONMEBOL Sudamericana has a habit of defying such logic. The hosts have struggled for consistency, DLDDD in their last five pointing to a win rate of 33.33%. The visitors have been enduring a wretched campaign, WDDDD in their last five and a season win rate of just 16.67% that leaves them deep in trouble. The contrast in attacking output — 1 versus 1.33 goals per game — adds an extra layer of intrigue. If the recent winter window is anything to go off, meanwhile, United are once again unlikely to spend big for reinforcement half-way through the season.

Tactically, the contest promises a fascinating contrast. Macara will look to impose their style on home soil, while Santos are likely to have ideas of their own about how to gain the upper hand. They are sticking to the principles of possession and pressing that have taken them from the fourth tier.

The fixture features no shortage of talent, and the league's top marksman Gabriel Barbosa — 5 goals this term — will be one to watch. Set-piece specialists and aerial threats on both sides mean dead-ball situations could carry outsized importance. City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, though, would have been disappointed with the goal after being beaten at his near post.

Without the market to lean on, the contest feels genuinely open — and the outcome may come down to which side handles the occasion better. The weight of evidence points to Macara, and a 2-1 win for the hosts feels like the most probable outcome. Whatever the outcome, the CONMEBOL Sudamericana fixture promises a meaningful contest with real implications for both clubs. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Liverpool's midfield wasn't great last year but I expect Florian Wirtz to have a better season, 100 per cent.