Montevideo Wanderers vs Sport Huancayo Predictions

Thursday’s Copa Sudamericana first round, first leg action sees Uruguayans Montevideo Wanderers doing battle with Peruvians Sport Huancayo. The hosts arrive as big favourites to win what’s likely to be quite an open game.

Whilst Montevideo Wanderers aren’t expected to make any real waves in the Sudamericana this year, there’s no doubting they are favourites to win this tie. The side don’t have the resources to match some of the bigger clubs in the competition but fans are still hopeful of seeing their team put together a deep run in the competition.

There’s certainly some reason for optimism, as the hosts are playing pretty well at the moment. Indeed, going back to the end of last season, they’ve now lost just 1 of their last 8 games and having beaten domestic powerhouses Nacional and Penarol in recent weeks, Wanderers are showing they can pack a punch on their day and that leaves confidence high coming into this clash..

Meanwhile, Sport Huancayo will be hoping their Sudamericana participation this year is a more successful one than last year, given that they were eliminated in the second round by Venezuelans Caracas. Nonetheless, in poor form and low on confidence, the Peruvians will do well to even make it any further than this tie.

Indeed, the visitors have won just 1 of their last 14 games and have been in highly concerning shape for quite some time. They’ve also not won any of their last 13 away games and have lost 6 of their last 7 Sudamericana ties on the road, so it’s fair to say their prospects look pretty bleak prior to touching down in the Uruguayan capital.

Ultimately, Montevideo Wanderers have to be fancied to win this home leg and the question really is in what manner will they do so. Huancayo are struggling, but mainly from a defensive viewpoint and in offensive areas, they’re not performing too badly. Indeed, the Peruvians have notched 6 times during their last 4 fixtures, but have also conceded 9 times during that period, leaving no doubts as to where there problems are coming from.

All things considered, we really like the look of backing a Montevideo Wanderers win in combination with both nets being hit. Going forward, the home side should have too much for the visitors but Huancayo are at least capable of scoring and we think they’ll do so, albeit in a 2-1 margin of defeat.