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Mushuc Runa vs Union Espanola Predictions

  • 00:30
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  • Estadio Bellavista
Mushuc Runa
Union Espanola

odds when tipped

odds when tipped

Mushuc Runa vs Union Espanola Predictions

Friday’s Copa Sudamericana first round, second leg action sees Ecuadorians Mushuc Runa doing battle with Chileans Union Espanola. All is still to play for after a 1-1 draw in the first leg but Mushuc will fancy their chances of advancing on home soil.

It’s fair to say Mushuc Runa came into this tie as considerable underdogs but after grinding out an impressive draw, they’ve now given themselves a great chance of booking a ticket into the next round. The side qualified for the Sudamericana courtesy of winning last season’s Ecuadorian second tier and subsequent play-off, but have already shown they’re not here just to make up the numbers.

Whilst the hosts aren’t quite as strong as Union on paper, they now have one factor firmly on their side, and that’s altitude. Indeed, with the game set to be played some 2,500 metres above sea level, Mushuc’s players will have the advantage of being the only ones used to said conditions and having lost just 2 of their last 20 home games, winning 11 times in the process, they certainly look well placed to take advantage of said factor.

Meanwhile, Union will arrive kicking themselves to have not even established an advantage in the first leg. Most expected them to open a comfortable lead prior to this second leg, but despite dominating possession and most of the game, they weren’t able to take command of the tie and now face a big ask in gruelling conditions.

The Chileans are at least in good form and currently stand 2nd in the Chilean top flight, but transferring that onto the road in continental action will be a tall order. The side aren’t looking the most secure defensively either, having kept just 1 clean sheet in their last 6 matches and that has to be a concern coming into a game in which they’re likely to be put under sustained pressure.

Ultimately, whilst this is a tie that could still go either away, Mushuc are the team somewhat in the driving seat and have to be fancied to progress. When the draw was made, we didn’t envisage them advancing but their work in the first leg has now left them in a great position.

All things considered, we really like the look of backing a home win here and at current prices, said market is exactly where our money is going. Mushuc are pretty strong as hosts and with altitude against them, we can picture Union struggling to assert themselves in the game and crashing out via a 1-0 margin of defeat.

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