Sport Huancayo vs Montevideo Wanderers Predictions

Friday’s Copa Sudamericana first round, second leg action sees Peruvians Sport Huancayo doing battle with Uruguayans Wanderers. It’s the hosts who have it all to do following a 2-0 first leg defeat.

Sport Huancayo came into this tie knowing that if they secured any kind of result in the first leg, then they’d be firm favourites to advance but having fallen to a 2-0 margin of defeat, they’ve now left themselves with a mountain to climb. The Peruvians will still fancy their chances of advancing, given the match is going to be played at a gruelling altitude which only they are used to, but their recent form hardly has a comeback looking likely.

Indeed, the home side have been very poor so far in 2019 and it’s not been a good year for them up until this point. They currently lie 16th in the Peruvian top flight and have won just 1 of their last 9 games, but confidence can at least be taken from the fact that said victory came via a 1-0 triumph over Pirata at the weekend.

Meanwhile, Wanderers were desperate to establish a significant lead in the first leg and did exactly that with a strong and convincing performance. The Uruguayans will know the job is far from complete however, and all focus is firmly on hanging onto their lead in what will certainly be testing conditions.

The visitors arrive in good form and currently sit in 4th place in the Uruguayan top flight. Nonetheless, carrying their good results over into this match will be a big ask, as it cannot be stressed enough how difficult it is to play at an altitude of of 3,200 metres when you are typically used to paying at near enough sea level.

Ultimately, Friday’s 90 minutes are essentially going to be a game of attack vs defence, as Huancayo look to turn the game around and Wanderers look to withstand the pressure they apply. The visitors have absolutely no need to try to attack given the scoreline and doing so would waste vital energy they need to conserve for defensive efforts.

All things considered, whilst Huancayo are hardly firing on all cylinders, a play on them winning to nil still looks a good bet. They’re going to have almost all of the play in this match and considering Wanderers haven’t scored in 3 of their last 4 Sudamericana away games, a 1-0 home win could well be on the cards. It’s hard to envisage the hosts progressing, but they should have enough of the play to at least win on the night.