Sporting Cristal (Per) – Lanus (Arg) Prediction & Picks (08.03.2018)

Sporting Cristal and Lanús face at Estadio Alberto Gallardo, in a return match of this phase of the Copa Sudamericana (1st Round), after in the first leg Lanús won at home (4-2). In this game the home factor may be decisive, since both teams present considerable differences in the results achieved at home and as a visitor.

Sporting Cristal:

Despite the disadvantage of 2 goals in the first leg, the home team will try to take advantage of having scored 2 goals in that match. This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 5 wins, 2 draws and 8 losses in away matches, with 33 goals scored and 33 conceded; against 8 wins, 5 draws and 2 losses at their stadium, with 27 goals scored and 11 conceded. The team comes to this match after a win away with San Martin University by (1-5). In the last 10 home matches for all competitions, Sporting Cristal have won 7, tied 2 and lost 1. Their offense has scored frequently, since they have scored at least one goal in each of the last 10 matches. There is 1 period that stands out in the last 3 home matches for all competitions: they have scored 3 of their 7 goals between minutes (16′-30 ‘).

The Sporting Cristal returns to play at home after two consecutive exhibitions away from their fans, having the opportunity to win their eighth consecutive victory at home. On the other hand, the victory is the only thing that interests the Peruvians, since in the first leg they allowed the Lanus to win by two goals of advantage, although it has managed to balance the adversary network, which can make the difference in this duel . The home team comes from a win away from home for the Peruvian championship, which now occupies the leadership, with the best attack of the competition, with an average of 3.33 goals scored per game. For this match, it is likely that coach Salas will organize the team in 4-3-3 or 4-1-4-1, with the highlight for the Argentine Herrera in the attack.

Lanús:

The away team comes to this second leg with an advantage of 2 goals, but suffered 2 goals at home in the first leg. This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 2 wins, 3 draws and 10 losses in away matches; against 8 wins, 3 draws and 4 losses at their stadium. In the last match they played, for the First Division, they lost to Arsenal away by (2-1). In the last 10 away matches Lanús has a record of 1 win, 1 draw and 8 losses. The team has conceded goals in 7 of the last 10 matches, so their defense needs to improve, but their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 7 of the last 10 matches. In 15 games, they suffered the first goal 9 times and only managed 1 comeback. In the last 20 away matches for all competitions there is 1 period that stands out: they have scored 8 of their 17 goals between minutes (76’-90 ‘).

The Lanús makes its tenth match in the year of 2018, but only the second international, and enters the field with some peace, after having managed to build a good lead in their domains in the first leg, making it difficult the mission of Sporting Cristal in the Copa Sudamericana. However, the visiting team does not live one of its best moments in the season, considering that it comes from another defeat for the Argentine championship, in which it now occupies the twenty-second position among twenty-eight clubs. On the occasion, despite having had more possession of the ball, left to desire in offensive and defensive terms and thus ended up defeated by the Arsenal de Sarandí. The last participation of the Lanús in the Copa Sudamericana occurred in 2016, when it was eliminated in the first phase by the Independiente. The 4-3-3 has been the standard tactical formation of the team, with highlight for Acosta in the offensive sector.