- Deportivo Cuenca (2nd) have earned 6 points from 5 games in Copa Sudamericana Group D 2026, 2 more than Santos FC Sao Paulo (4th) from the same number of games.
- Cuenca are in better form, unbeaten in their last 5 (W3, D2) than Sao Paulo (W2, D2, L1).
- Cuenca have scored 0 goals in 2 away group games in the Copa Sudamericana.
Cuenca can capitalise on Cuencas’ counter-attacking style
Deportivo Cuenca can get the better of Santos FC Sao Paulo in Wednesday’s Copa Sudamericana Group D game when they face off in Sao Paulo.
Our Santos FC Sao Paulo vs Deportivo Cuenca prediction is that Jorge Celico’s Ecuadorian side, who are in great shape, having gone unbeaten in their last 5 games - one in this group - while Santos have been unconvincing, winning two, drawing two and losing one of their last five in all competitions, have the upper hand. Cuenca are 2nd in the group with 6 points from their 5 games, 2 more than Santos’ 4 points from the same number of games.
The Ecuadorians are in the group on the back of a 1-0 home win over Sao Paulo six weeks ago and are on a roll with recent results including a 1-0 away win over Libertad FC in the Liga Pro Serie A and a 2-2 home draw with Deportivo Recoleta in this group. They have a strong work ethic and Celico has instilled the players with a disciplined, compact-block mentality that frustrates opponents. The Santos FC Sao Paulo vs Deportivo Cuenca prediction here is based on Cuenca’s ability to exploit the counter-attack and disciplined defending.
Santos’ tempo changes must be right against Cuenca
Cuenca are patient in possession, building from the back and play fast on the counter. They are good on set pieces and their wide players know how to get into good positions and play the right pass.
Cuca’s Santos FC Sao Paulo prefer to control the pace and build up in a 4-2-3-1 hybrid. They use their wide men and creative No.10, Benjamin Rollheiser, who has 2 assists in 5 group matches, to try to overload in the opposition half. They try to change tempo to break down the defense, particularly after halftime when they have increased their pace to try to force turnovers and errors.
This Santos FC Sao Paulo vs Deportivo Cuenca preview highlights a meeting of contrasting styles, where set-pieces and wide play will be pivotal, but the Ecuadorians have an extra edge here because of their ability to stifle opponents. Celico has his men sitting deep and compact while they are patient enough to transition quickly to wide positions when they win the ball. Their two away games so far in the Sudamericana have seen them score 0 goals. The Santos FC Sao Paulo vs Deportivo Cuenca prediction is that set-piece situations and transitions will likely decide the outcome.
Odds on Over 2.5 goals look short
Santos have drawn both home games in the Sudamericana so far, winning 1, drawing 1 and losing 1 of their last three at home. Deportivo Cuenca have won 2 of their last 2 away games in all competitions and the Santos FC Sao Paulo vs Deportivo Cuenca prediction based on those stats is that Cuenca can edge this matchup against Sao Paulo on that basis.
Over 2.5 goals looks short enough at 1.79, but we prefer BTTS - No at 1.66 because only one side will score on Wednesday, but it will probably be the disciplined Cuenca. This Santos FC Sao Paulo vs Deportivo Cuenca betting tips section suggests that Gabriel Barbosa is in red-hot form for Santos, but Matias Klimowicz, who has 3 of Cuenca’s 6 goals in their last 5, can come through for Cuenca.
