Deportivo Maldonado vs Fortaleza Prediction: Group Stage Qualification at Stake for the Two Equally Matched Sides

In the upcoming fixture of Copa Libertadores, Second Round, Leg 1, Deportivo Maldonado will compete with Fortaleza at the Estadio Domingo Burgueño Miguell. With Maldonado hosting Fortaleza in Uruguay, we have a game to witness and predict. The upcoming duel between the two is likely to be a pretty balanced encounter, with both teams looking alike and confident for qualifying to the second stage. This will be the first ever meeting between the two teams in the South American circuit. Continue reading to witness the clash of two equally matched sides in the contest. 

Deportivo Maldonado secured a spot in South American’ most prestigious tournament after finishing third in the First Division 2022 season. Going in the important home fixture of Copa Libertadores, Deportivo Maldonado is coming off three consecutive unbeaten matches against Cero (0-0), Racing (1-1), and Plaza Colonia (0-1). Taking inspiration from the ongoing domestic season, Deportivo Maldonado will be confident of starting as favorites against Fortaleza at home. With just 2 goals scored in the opening three games of the divisional fixtures, Deportivo averages under 1.0 goals per game. With Fortaleza coming over, Deportivo Maldonado will look to expedite its goal scoring rate and bag a win. Deportivo Maldonado enjoys playing at home, as it has lost only a single home game from the last 10 matches played.

Guillermo Reyes; Guillermo Cotugno, Ángel Cayetano, Martín Ferreira, Agustín Alfaro; Nicolás Queiroz, Facundo Piriz; Eduardo Darías, Maximiliano Cantera, Hernán Toledo; Claudio Spinelli.

Going in the matchup, Fortaleza is coming off a decent in-game form, as it has secured 4 wins out of the last 5 matches played. Fortaleza has been playing in Copa do Notdeste and is coming off a win against CSA (3-0). In the last outing against CSA, Juan Martin Lucero, Yago Pikachu, and Thiago Galhardo scored goals. If we determine Fortaleza’s recent form, Fortaleza has won 8 of its last 10 matches in the 2023 season so far. With 9 goals scored in the recent 5 matches played, Fortaleza averages 1.95 goals per game. If Fortaleza continues with the same aggression, we can expect a tough and competitive fixture.

Fernando Miguel; Bryan Ceballos, Bruno Pacheco, Caio Alexandre, Hércules; Marcelo Benevenuto, Pedro Rocha, Tomás Pochettino, Thiago Galhardo; Tinga, Yago Pikachu.

Maldonado has done well in 2023, and their primary tactic to date has been defence. However, they will not have an easy job in the upcoming matchup against Fortaleza. Fortaleza has scored at least two goals in four of their last six competitive games. While Maldonado should battle to the bitter end, Brazilian teams typically dominate these early rounds of the competition. As a result, I am predicting Fortaleza to triumph and claim the victory. Considering the goals scored and conceded by the two sides, the upcoming matchup is likely to produce a total of over 2.5 goals and both sides to score. The predicted scoreline is likely to be 1-2.

• Fortaleza to Win for 1.95
• Total Over 2.5 for 2.26
• Both Teams To Score - Yes for 1.97