- Junior de Barranquilla (CDJ) have won 2, drawn 1 and lost 2 of their last 5 games (all comps).
- Sporting Cristal Lima (SCL) have drawn 1 and lost 1 of their last 2 away games (1-1 against Alianza Lima and 3-1 vs FC Cajamarca in the Liga 1 - Apertura).
- In the last 5 games, Luis Muriel has scored 3 for CDJ, Teofilo Gutierrez 1 goal in the Libertadores group for CDJ and Gustavo Cazonatti has scored 2 goals for SCL.
Midfield duel could rule the game
Sporting Cristal Lima (SCL) are in 3rd place in Copa Libertadores Group F with 6 points after 4 games, ahead of 4th place Junior de Barranquilla (CDJ) with 1 point. This CD Junior de Barranquilla vs Sporting Cristal Lima prediction highlights SCL as favorites to win this game with odds of 5.25 because they beat CDJ 2-0 in the reverse fixture two weeks ago. However, the betting on the game being high-scoring is better than the head-to-head market as both teams look to attack the wide channels.
Under the management of Alfredo Arias, CDJ are a team that is well organised, with players disciplined to stay in their positions and work the ball back up the flanks on the counter attack. But their lack of penetration at home has cost them in this competition where they have failed to win either of their 2 home games so far (1 draw and 1 defeat) and only managed to score once.
Ze Ricardo has made SCL more compact, more tempo-controlling and more disciplined in terms of rotation and cover in the midfield since taking charge. Our CD Junior de Barranquilla vs Sporting Cristal Lima preview indicates that SCL have the players to work the ball into the box and penetrate late in the second half if they play their cards right.
Lima team more likely to edge it
CDJ have shown some good form recently, but SCL should be very confident of winning this one because of their recent head-to-head result and superior position in the group. For supporters looking into CD Junior de Barranquilla vs Sporting Cristal Lima betting tips, SCL’s willingness to press high up the field could exploit CDJ’s weaknesses if they can open up the play, which is likely to be an exciting game to watch.
We’re going with Over 2.5 goals and BTTS at 1.88 and 1.81 respectively as the top wagers. The CD Junior de Barranquilla vs Sporting Cristal Lima prediction also considers that Teofilo Gutierrez leads the scoring charts for CDJ in this group with 1 goal from 4 appearances so far, while Catriel Cabellos has 1 goal from 3 games for SCL. Additionally, the second CD Junior de Barranquilla vs Sporting Cristal Lima prediction points toward both teams having in-form strikers who can make a difference in a tight contest. Gustavo Cazonatti has 2 of the last 3 goals for SCL in all competitions, while Luis Muriel is red-hot for CDJ with 3 of the team’s last 6 goals in 5 games.
