Melgar
- Melgar are the stronger side and 2nd in the Liga 1 - Clausura 2026 table (7 points from 3 games) while Cajamarca are 16th (1 point from 3 games).
- Melgar should have too much for a compact Cajamarca side on Sunday but it will be a close contest as the visitors will try to keep it ugly.
- Melgar are the clear favorites at 1.41, with the tie priced at 4.4 and Cajamarca7.24.
- The visitors will undoubtedly be tough to break down but Melgar have home advantage, some solid structure and a real finisher in Vidales.
- Miguel Rondelli's men can switch to a 4-2-3-1 if needed - it gives them a lot of flexibility at the top end of the pitch and Vidales has been the main man for Melgar in the Clausura, carrying most of their finishing load.
Cajamarca
- Cajamarca's last two games have been defeats - 2-1 away to Deportivo Garcilaso and 0-2 at home to Sport Huancayo.
- Mauricio Arrasco is their main man up front with 1 goal in 3 Clausura games while Brandon Palacios has given them some useful creativity from midfield with 1 assist.
- Cajamarca's away form has been poor for a while now - 0 wins, 1 tie and 1 defeat in their last 2 away games - and they've scored only 1 goal on the road in Liga 1 - Clausura 2026.
Head-to-Head
They did beat Melgar 3-1 at home in the Liga 1 - Apertura last time these two met, so there is some bite to this clash.
Key Players
Mauricio Arrasco is their main man up front with 1 goal in 3 Clausura games while Brandon Palacios has given them some useful creativity from midfield with 1 assist .
Betting Insights
- Melgar are the clear favorites at 1.41, with the tie priced at 4.4 and Cajamarca7.24.
- A much better value option than Melgar at 1.41 is BTTS: Yes at 1.85, as the hosts will get chances in the match and the visitor's compactness and discipline mean they will force their way into the game at some stage.
Prediction
- So Melgar are the more likely winners, but Ayala's team will ensure the match has a cagey feel to it.
- FBC Melgar Arequipa have kept the best home record in the Clausura thus far with 1 win from 1 and should hold a 6-point advantage over Cajamarca at full-time on Sunday.
- FBC Melgar Arequipa's last 5 matches are 3 wins and 2 ties - a good unbeaten run that will have them feeling confident, while FC Cajamarca's recent 5 games have been 3 ties and 2 defeats - not a good run at all.
- Melgar have also conceded only 1 goal at home in Liga 1 - Clausura 2026, which is a solid base for the team in red and white to build from.
- Their last two results were a 2-1 home win over Sporting Cristal Lima and a 0-0 away to UCV Moquegua, so they can dig in when needed and still find a way to score when they are on top.