LDU Quito vs Deportivo Cuenca Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Sunday’s Ecuadorian Serie A action sees recently crowned opening phase champions LDU Quito playing host to the struggling Deportivo Cuenca. It’s expected to be a comfortable evening for the home side.

A 0-0 draw at Guayaquil City last time out wrapped up LDU’s opening phase title, an achievement that secured their spot in next year’s Copa Libertadores as well as their place in the overall final of the league, which will be played at the end of the year.

Boss Pablo Repetto has done a fantastic job at the club since coming in last year and must take full credit for LDU’s turnaround. Under Repetto, LDU have gone from one of the division’s strugglers to undoubtedly it’s strongest side, something more than evidenced by Los Albos’ 46 point haul from 21 matches, as well as the fact they possess the league’s strongest defence and fifth strongest attack.

Meanwhile, visiting Deportivo Cuenca’s miserable start to the season has ensured they’ll likely be involved in a relegation fight until the end of the year, but the side are at least starting to buck their ideas up under Richard Páez.

El Rojo won just 1 of their opening 16 games and fans were beginning to question the professionalism of the squad, but Paez has since inspired a real upturn in form, helping the team claim 10 points from the last 5 matches. Nonetheless, a miserable away record that reads 8 losses from 10 outings will hardly inspire confidence and there’s no doubting Cuenca go into the clash as huge underdogs.

Ultimately, there’s huge disparity between these two sides in terms of quality and that’s something more than reflected in the table, with LDU a huge 27 points ahead of their visitors.

As such, the price on LDU winning makes little sense. Whilst it’s true that the match isn’t of paramount importance to them, they’ll want to keep momentum rolling over into the second stage of the season and will also be looking to put on a show for the home crowd.

LDU are a dominant force on their own patch; yet to lose there this season whilst winning 8 of the 10 games contested. Against a Cuenca outfit that has failed to show any resolve on the road, LDU should be able to secure victory and we’re more than happy to back them to do so, with a 1-0 margin of win on the cards.