Deportivo Cuenca

vs

Santos FC Sao Paulo

Preview

Deportivo Cuenca

• Deportivo Cuenca have a record of W3, D1, L1 in their last five in all competitions.
• Deportivo Cuenca have been scoring regularly.
• Deportivo Cuenca are more tactically disciplined and well organised than Santos, with an ability to control games and the tempo at home.
• Jorge Célico sets his teams up pragmatically to be strong at home.
• Cuenca play with a compactness and discipline that can suffocate opponents and provide a platform for their collective attack to score goals.
• Recent contributors include:
  • Nicolás Leguizamón
  • Lucas Mancinelli
  • Melvin Díaz
  • Ignacio Mosquera
• Cuenca have an impressive home record that is aided by the altitude of Estadio Alejandro Serrano Aguilar.

Santos

• Santos have won once in their last five (W1, D3, L1).
• Santos are an open, attack-minded side that will press high and look to recover the ball in wide areas quickly.
• Alexi Stival (Cuca) is a seasoned coach with a reputation for getting teams to score plenty of goals with flexible tactical systems.
• Neymar Jr is the dangerman who can unlock any defence with goals and assists but has been making headlines recently for discipline and fitness issues.
• Gabigol and Thaciano are always a threat.
• The visitors have drawn a lot recently and have shown a tendency to switch off defensively on the road.

Key Players

• Deportivo Cuenca:
  • Nicolás Leguizamón
  • Lucas Mancinelli
  • Melvin Díaz
  • Ignacio Mosquera
• Santos:
  • Neymar Jr
  • Gabigol
  • Thaciano

Betting Insights

• Backing Deportivo Cuenca to win is available at 2.75.
• The Under 2.5 option is priced at 1.48.
• Both Teams to Score - Yes is available at 2.1.
• Goals have been coming at both ends in recent Cuenca matches.

Prediction

• Deportivo Cuenca's home advantage and ability to manage games should see them edge this one.
• Expect a close game with both teams to score.