Nov 25, 2013

Barcelona - LDU Quito

Ecuador Serie A, Segunda Etapa

The odds are set totally wrong for this match, if you ask me, as I see a rather equal affair. Both teams are hoping of qualifying for a continental cup (tied on points in the general classification, with Barcelona on a qualification spot, due to better goal difference), both had a pretty horrendous second half of the season, and both are somehow recovering their form. Even in the Segunda Etapa's standings, they are fairly evenly matched, with Barcelona holding just a 3 points advantage over LDU. Now, let's check out their results and their form: despite having one of their poorest seasons in recent years, LDU have only lost 4 out of 18 matches, as they excelled in draws: 10. That being said, they drew 6 of their last 10 games, and only lost once. And from those draws, 2 were against Emelec and 2 were against Deportivo Quito, both of them being more solid teams than Barcelona, which shows us that LDU are no pushovers, and can really focus when it comes to big games. And besides all of this, Barcelona and LDU also have a long history of equal matches, since out of their last 15 games, they recorded 9 draws. Hopefully, the trend will continue, and considering all the facts, I'll say it again: Barcelona are by no means such big favorites as the bookies try to make them. GL!

LDU (+0.5 AH) @ 2.05, 4/10
Result: 1-0, LOST