LDU Quito vs Universitario Prediction: Can Peruvian champions get the point they need?

LDU Quiito and Universitario may already know that their hopes of reaching the last-16 of the Copa Libertadores are over, but they both still have a chance of finishing third in Group D, which would secure that Copa Sudamericana spot as they meet on Tuesday night (23:00).

Peruvian outfit Universitario are in pole position to finish third, with five points in comparison to Quiito’s four. Patricio Hurtado’s side have to win this one to qualify for the Copa Sudamericana, and attempt to defend the title they won last year. Below you can find my LDU Quito vs Universitario prediction. 

Team News

LDU Quito are likely to welcome Michael Estrada back into their starting XI after he served a Liga Pro suspension, and he is set to partner Alex Arce up top. However Oscar Zambranon cannot play in this one having started the last league game, as he wasn’t named in the Libertadores squad at the start of the campaign. Marco Angulo could come in to take his place, while experienced wide man Lisandro Alzugaray is also in contention to start given the quick turnaround. 

Matias Di Benedetto was sent off at the weekend for Universitario, but that ban is only applicable to domestic matches. He will start on Tuesday, but Martin Perez Guedes is out with a hamstring injury and striker Christopher Olivares has sprained his ankle. 

LDU Quito vs Universitario Match Odds

Quito are the favourites for this one, priced at 4/9 to take all three points, while Universitario are outsiders at 11/2. A draw can be backed at 3/1, BTTS is 10/11 and over 2.5 goals is 4/5.

BTTS Yes @ 10/11

The Ecuadorians are at the start of a new era, having parted ways with Josep Alcacer after a difficult run of results. Now Hurtado is at the helm and this is the biggest game of his short reign. The hosts know that anything less than three points will mark the end of their continental adventure this year, and they will have to come out and attack this one. 

Both teams have scored in four of their last six matches, while the home side simply have to score to progress. Meanwhile, Universitario have been hit and miss in front of goal of late, but they did score four goals in their last outing. I think there will be plenty of goals in this one. 

Draw @ 3/1

SD Quito need to win this one, and although they are heavy favourites, I don’t think they will get over the line. I think we are getting a big price on a draw here, given it is the result that the away side needs to qualify. Also, the reverse fixture ended in a 2-1 victory for Universitario, and so I don’t see any reason for SD Quito to be such heavy favourites. 

I know they have improved under the new boss, but they’ve got just four points from five Group D fixtures so far, and have lost their last two games in this competition. The Peruvian league leaders are looking to add a first-ever continental honour to their 27 Peruvian titles and I think they can get the point they need to secure third place. 

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