- FBC Melgar Arequipa have won four of their last five Liga 1 clashes with Universidad Tecnica de Cajamarca (Drawn 1).
- Melgar’s home record in Liga 1 - Apertura is 3 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats.
- Universidad Tecnica de Cajamarca are without a win in five Liga 1 matches (D3, L2).
Melgar can maintain their hold on Cajamarca
7th placed FBC Melgar Arequipa are just one point ahead of Universidad Tecnica de Cajamarca in 8th after 12 games in Liga 1 - Apertura, but the hosts have the momentum to maintain their place above their visitors after a run of two wins, one draw and two defeats in their last five. In this FBC Melgar Arequipa vs Universidad Tecnica de Cajamarca preview, both teams are fighting for crucial points that could define their positions in the standings.
Melgar’s last two results have been a gutsy 2-1 home victory over Universitario de Deportes and a narrow 1-0 loss at Deportivo Garcilaso, and although neither fixture was a classic, they showed the grit and resolve of a squad that is set up to be proactive and positive. According to our FBC Melgar Arequipa vs Universidad Tecnica de Cajamarca prediction, Miguel Rondelli’s men have an intelligent, flexible system that is geared towards vertical transitions, overloading the wide areas and clinical finishing, which Jhonny Vidales has provided with 5 goals in 12 Liga 1 - Apertura games. Vidales has scored three of Melgar’s last seven and is the talisman of their attack.
While Melgar are a high-tempo team, Carlos Bustos has a much more structure-first approach to his UTC squad, which is compact, disciplined, and geared towards frustrating opponents and hitting them on the break. While their recent results have left a bit to be desired, Bustos has done a good job of instilling a risk-averse mentality to his charges, which makes them tough to break down, but also less potent when they play.
Hosts to have the edge in five-game rivalry
UTC are winless in their last five Liga 1 assignments, with 3-2 and 2-2 scorelines in their most recent two - a loss to Sporting Cristal and a draw at home to Cienciano, and their form on the road has been poor of late. UTC have lost their last two away games and won just two, drawn one and lost three of their six road games in Liga 1 - Apertura.
The FBC Melgar Arequipa vs Universidad Tecnica de Cajamarca prediction continues to favor the hosts as Melgar have won one and lost one of their two most recent games at Arequipa, but will be hopeful of maintaining their dominance in this fixture after taking the spoils in their most recent meeting with UTC - a 2-1 victory away last season. The hosts are the odds-on favorite here at 1.55, but that is a very tight price given how different these clubs are in terms of strategy and style of play.
However, Melgar are the team in better form, have home field advantage and have dominated this fixture in recent seasons (W4, D1 from the last 5 head-to-head). For those looking for FBC Melgar Arequipa vs Universidad Tecnica de Cajamarca betting tips, backing Melgar to win and both teams to score looks a good way of getting value out of a game that should see plenty of goals at both ends and UTC are capable of nicking a goal in behind the Melgar wing-backs. Additionally, the odds on Over 2.5 goals at 1.82 are also attractive, while Both Teams to Score - Yes is 1.9. As a result, our FBC Melgar Arequipa vs Universidad Tecnica de Cajamarca prediction is that Melgar’s attacking power may see them through yet again.
