Sporting Cristal vs The Strongest Prediction & Betting Tips - Copa Libertadores

Prediction published on 01/05/2023, 08:15  by Devesh Jaganath in Copa Libertadores Predictions

Sporting Cristal will play host to The Strongest in the third round of matches in Group D of the Copa Libertadores this Wednesday. Last season, Sporting Cristal ended at the bottom of Group H in this competition, winless in their six matches, and they’ve started this campaign off in the same vein, currently bottom of Group D, losing their first two matches so far. It’s a similar picture when we look beyond this competition, where the Peruvians have been unable to register a win in their last six matches, drawing three and losing three. Sporting Cristal have slipped to sixth in the Peru Primera Division after 11 matches, with a record of four wins, six draws, and a loss, scoring 16 while conceding 11 in that time. While not being at their best, Sporting Cristal are unbeaten at home in the domestic competitions this season, but they will know that another loss in this competition will likely mean that their chances of progressing to the knockout stages will be all but gone. 

Meanwhile, The Strongest currently lead the Bolivian Primera Division, with 23 points after the first nine matches, and have already opened up a four-point gap over Bolivar in second, while also having two games in hand. The Strongest were beaten 1-0 by Fluminense in the previous round, which followed an excellent opening match performance over River Plate. The Strongest are currently second in Group D, ahead of River Plate by a one-goal difference. The visitors have been very good so far this season in domestic competition, unbeaten in 10 league and cup matches combined. Riding a three-match unbeaten run coming into this one, The Strongest will fancy their chances of pulling off another win in this one.