Sofia Quijada
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São Paulo – SP host Boca Juniors on Wednesday 16 September 2026 in the CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana, and the two predicted lineups tell very different stories about how settled each squad currently is. Dorival Júnior’s side has been chopping and changing by the week, while Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s Boca group looks far closer to a fixed group of starters. What follows is our projection of both XIs, built from recent selection patterns rather than any official announcement.
Predicted São Paulo – SP Line-up
The projection has São Paulo – SP lining up in a 4-2-3-1, the shape Dorival Júnior tends to prefer. It is, however, a rotating side – only 2 of the projected XI started their last match, which makes picking out certainties harder than usual. Two names still stand out on raw appearances: Rafael and Domingos Duarte have each started five of the six matches used here, even though neither featured in the most recent outing. That gap between long-run reliability and last-match usage is the clearest sign of how much this team news is still in flux.
São Paulo – SP predicted XI: Rafael; Domingos Duarte, Jose Monteiro, Robert Arboleda, Newton; Artur Victor Guimarães, Pablo Maia, Marcos Antonio, Iago Amaral Borduchi, Lucas Ramon; Jonathan Calleri
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 6 | Last 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 23 | Rafael | 5/6 | 2/3 |
| D | 22 | Domingos Duarte | 5/6 | 2/3 |
| D | 35 | Jose Monteiro | 5/6 | 2/3 |
| D | 5 | Robert Arboleda | 3/6 | 2/3 |
| D | 28 | Newton | 2/6 | 1/3 |
| M | 37 | Artur Victor Guimarães | 5/6 | 2/3 |
| M | 29 | Pablo Maia | 3/6 | 2/3 |
| M | 8 | Marcos Antonio | 4/6 | 2/3 |
| M | 12 | Iago Amaral Borduchi | 4/6 | 1/3 |
| M | 19 | Lucas Ramon | 3/6 | 2/3 |
| F | 9 | Jonathan Calleri | 3/6 | 1/3 |
Boca Juniors Predicted XI
Boca Juniors are projected in a 4-3-3, matching Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s own preferred setup. This is a largely settled side, with 7 of the projected XI starting their last match, a much clearer picture than on the other side of the pitch. Lautaro Blanco has started five of the last six games and kept his place most recently, while Tomás Belmonte has started all three of his last three outings, underlining his current standing in midfield. Between them they capture why this expected XI feels closer to a known quantity than São Paulo – SP’s.
Boca Juniors predicted XI: Leandro Brey; Lautaro Blanco, Dylan Gorosito, Jorge Nicolás Figal, Marco Pellegrino; Tomás Belmonte, Santiago Ascacibar, Sebastián Villa; Alan Velasco, Leonel Benjamín Flores, Miguel Merentiel
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 6 | Last 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 12 | Leandro Brey | 1/6 | 1/3 |
| D | 3 | Lautaro Blanco | 5/6 | 2/3 |
| D | 24 | Dylan Gorosito | 4/6 | 2/3 |
| D | 4 | Jorge Nicolás Figal | 3/6 | 2/3 |
| D | 26 | Marco Pellegrino | 2/6 | 2/3 |
| M | 8 | Tomás Belmonte | 4/6 | 3/3 |
| M | 25 | Santiago Ascacibar | 4/6 | 1/3 |
| M | 22 | Sebastián Villa | 2/6 | 1/3 |
| F | 20 | Alan Velasco | 4/6 | 2/3 |
| F | 19 | Leonel Benjamín Flores | 4/6 | 2/3 |
| F | 16 | Miguel Merentiel | 4/6 | 1/3 |
Team News: Who Is Out
Lucas Moura and Lucca Marques Alencar are out injured, while Damian Bobadilla and Luciano are unavailable through suspension, a combination that thins São Paulo – SP’s forward and central midfield options in particular. Of the players still available, Danielzinho carries the strongest recent starting record on the bench and looks the most obvious candidate to step into the XI if changes are needed.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damian Bobadilla | M | suspended | Inactive |
| Luciano | F | suspended | Inactive |
| Lucas Moura | F | injured | Achilles tendon problems |
| Lucca Marques Alencar | F | injured | Wound |
Adam Bareiro, Rodrigo Battaglia, Milton Delgado, Tomás Aranda, Ayrton Enrique Costa and Agustin Marchesin are out injured, while Álvaro Montero, Camilo Rey Domenech and Malcon Braida are unavailable through suspension, a long list that hits Boca Juniors’ goalkeeping and midfield depth hardest. Among the outfield substitutes, Facundo Ezequiel Herrera has the healthiest recent starting run and would be a logical option to come into midfield or attack.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| n54qllh22zzqvy9 | injured | Lumbago | |
| Álvaro Montero | G | suspended | Inactive |
| Camilo Rey Domenech | M | suspended | Inactive |
| Malcon Braida | M | suspended | Inactive |
| Adam Bareiro | F | injured | Back Injury |
| Rodrigo Battaglia | M | injured | Achilles tendon problems |
| Milton Delgado | M | injured | Muscle bruise |
| Tomás Aranda | M | injured | Jumpers knee |
| Ayrton Enrique Costa | D | injured | Muscle bruise |
| Agustin Marchesin | G | injured | Jumpers knee |
How We Predict These XIs
Each predicted lineup here is built from that side’s last six matches, with more recent games weighted more heavily than older ones so current form carries more influence than a result from weeks back. Anyone confirmed injured or suspended has been removed from selection before the XI is built. This remains a projection, not a confirmed team sheet, and it can and will change once the official lineup is announced closer to kickoff.
FAQ
Who is predicted to start in goal for São Paulo – SP vs Boca Juniors?
Rafael is projected in goal for São Paulo – SP, while Leandro Brey is the projected starter for Boca Juniors.
What formation will São Paulo – SP and Boca Juniors use?
São Paulo – SP are projected in a 4-2-3-1 and Boca Juniors in a 4-3-3, both matching their respective coach’s preferred setup.
Who is unavailable for São Paulo – SP vs Boca Juniors?
São Paulo – SP are without Lucas Moura and Lucca Marques Alencar through injury and Damian Bobadilla and Luciano through suspension, while Boca Juniors are missing six players to injury and three to suspension, including both listed goalkeepers.
When does São Paulo – SP vs Boca Juniors kick off?
The CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana tie kicks off on Wednesday 16 September 2026.