Universitario de Deportes

vs

Sporting Cristal Lima

Predictions & Betting Tips

An attacking clash in Lima

Universitario de Deportes are the favorites to win the home and away matchup with Sporting Cristal Lima at +160, although the visitors are only a few points behind in the odds at +170 and the tie is +210. This Universitario de Deportes vs Sporting Cristal Lima preview highlights how the odds remain tightly balanced ahead of the game. That’s because Universitario have slipped a bit in their recent outings, winning one, drawing one and losing three of their past five matches. The home side won 1-0 against Barcelona SC Guayaquil on their last home game, but lost 2-0 in their previous away game at Juan Pablo II College. Sporting Cristal Lima, who beat Universitario 2-1 at home in the Clasura 2024, are in much better form with four wins and only one defeat in their past five matches. Cristal beat Ayacucho FC 4-1 away, then stumbled at home to Cerro Porteño 0-1 before coming back to beat AD Tarma 2-1. The Universitario de Deportes vs Sporting Cristal Lima prediction is sure to be influenced by these recent form streaks.

Universitario’s attack is on fire

U’s home form is outstanding with five wins and only a single defeat from six Liga 1 – Apertura 2025 matches. The team have been scoring freely at home, netting an eye-catching 20 goals in their six home assignments, although they have been less prolific on the road. Paulo Autuori took over as Sporting’s coach on April 16th, 2025 and his early tenure has been a winning one with his side looking much more confident going forward. Jorge Fossati took over as U’s coach on May 1st and his remit was clear – to revive the attacking flair of his team. Universitario like to play on the front foot, pushing numbers forward, and their home form has reflected that approach. Sporting play a more organized, quick-transition game under Autuori and both styles should create an end-to-end game in which both teams to score looks an attractive proposition. The Universitario de Deportes vs Sporting Cristal Lima betting tips for this reason tend to focus on attacking outcomes and high goal totals.

Sporting can cause an upset

The draw looks tempting, but Sporting Cristal Lima have not won on their previous two away trips to Universitario so we’re going to take the hosts to edge it in this game. Nevertheless, our Universitario de Deportes vs Sporting Cristal Lima prediction suggests this match will be highly competitive and could go either way. It should be close, however, as the last three meetings between the two clubs have produced one win each and a tie. Jose Rivera is Universitario’s biggest threat with five goals in 11 appearances in the Apertura 2025, while Uruguayan forward Martin Cauteruccio has five goals in only nine league appearances for Sporting Cristal Lima.