Cajamarca - Sporting Cristal

Peru Primera Division, Descentralizado

Nice odds for Sporting Cristal, as probably the bookies are thinking that they will rest some of their players, ahead of a very important Copa Libertadores match. But if we are to believe their coach (and there's no reason not to, as they have played with pretty much the best team all of their matches this season), they won't rest anyone and will take on this game in full force. They are once again one of the best teams in the league, and will most likely square off for the title with Alianza, Universitario and with last year's finalists, Real Garcilaso, who are currently topping the table, 3 points ahead of Cristal. They have been awesome so far, with 16 goals in 7 matches, thanks to their classy, in-form strikers: Avila (scored 2 in the league, 5 in all competitions) and Rengifo (2 goals), and of midfielder Renzo Sheput (4 goals in the league, 5 in all competitions). Cajamarca is situated at high altitude, but I don't see it as a major problem. Cristal has the players to overcome this deficit, and they have already won in Huanuco a couple of weeks ago, 2-1. Cajamarca have also lost at home against Alianza Lima (a team that I rate lower than Cristal), and the odds were quite similar. The only problem here would be if Cristal's players think about Libertadores too much, but they are professionals, so I trust they will get the job done here. GL!

Cristal (+0.25 AH) @ 1.90, 3/10
Result: 0-2, WON