Universitario are 4th with four points from two games
- Universitario de Deportes currently sits fourth in Liga 1 - Apertura after four points from their first two matches.
- A home win against ADT was followed by a dropped two points against Cusco FC, and a loss away to Los Chankas CYC.
- Javier Rabanal’s side play an intense, proactive pressing game that looks to close down the ball and keep their three central lanes compact in all phases of possession.
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Rabanal likes to rotate players in an attempt to find the right balance, and his tweaks have made a big difference.
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Recent stats:
- They have not lost at home in the Liga 1 - Apertura season (W1, D1).
- They have scored an average of 2.00 goals, while conceding an average of 0.00.
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Recent stats:
Cienciano are on a good home run
- Cienciano Cusco are sixth in the Liga 1 - Apertura table with three points from their opening two matches.
- Since taking charge, Horacio Melgarejo has had his side play in a variety of formations, but the key aspect of their play has been the overload in the wide areas, direct attacking play and opportunistic pressing in all thirds.
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A 2-1 home victory over Ayacucho FC was followed by a 6-1 thrashing of Juan Pablo II College, and a 2-0 defeat away to FBC Melgar Arequipa.
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Recent stats:
- They have not won on their last two away games.
- They have lost their only away game in the Liga 1 - Apertura, conceding an average of 2.00 goals and scoring none.
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Recent stats:
Head-to-Head
- There will likely be a clash of playing styles in this matchup of the two sides.
- Universitario will be keen to press Cienciano and the visitors will want to get the ball wide and play in transition.
- Universitario have won the last two head-to-heads with a 3-2 victory at home 11 months ago in the Liga 1.
- Universitario have a much better record at home in the Liga 1.
- Cienciano have not won on their last two trips to play Universitario.
Betting Insights
- Universitario are heavy favorites at 1.37 with Cienciano at long shots of 7.9.
- Over 2.5 goals is an obvious play at 1.67, given both teams have the ability to attack but have seen a lot of goals in their recent matches.
Prediction
Universitario will be tough to beat on home ground and given their better record in this fixture and the odds, we are going for another home victory for the hosts.
