Sporting Cristal vs Club Nacional Prediction: Can Sporting Convert Half Chances into Scoring Opportunities?

In the upcoming fixture of Copa Libertadores, Sporting Cristal will host Club Nacional at the Estadio Nacional in Lima District of Peru. The fixture is likely to test the attacking skills of Sporting Cristal as they are already two goals behind from leveling the scoreline against Nacional. The fixture is likely to get intense and interesting as Sporting Cristal prepares for playing at home. The Paraguayan giants will be in pursuit of establishing the lead and defeating Sporting away from home as well. In the last game, Nacional’s attackers were sublime as they recorded two in two headers. 

In the last outing, Sporting Cristal did hit the woodwork often, but were unable to secure goals. Taking no credit from Sporting Cristal’s attackers, Sporting did clear the defense on occasions for scoring, however, the fortune didn’t go their way. In the last outing against Nacional, Sporting did manage an overall possession of 64% and had 3 shots on target. Taking confidence from the last meeting, Irven Avila, Leandro Sosa, and Alejandro Hohberg are likely to play positively at home and score two goals without conceding any.

Going in the matchup, Club Nacional is coming off a draw against Sportivo Ameliano (0-0) in the Paraguayan Primera Division. After winning 2-0 against Sporting Cristal in Leg 1. Club Nacional will be extending its confidence as it prepares for the away fixture. With the likes of Jordan Santa Cruz, David Fleitas, and Gustavo Aguilar in the lineup, Club Nacional will be looking for a magical performance. With a decent scoring average of 1.4 goals per game in the last 5 matches, Nacional will be reasonable favorites for securing another win.

As the Peruvian dominant side plays at home, a straightforward win for Club Nacional isn’t expected. In order to defeat Sporting Cristal at home Nacional will have to apply strengths, game plan, and resources to their best execution. Hence, I am predicting a high scoring matchup with both teams managing to score. As Sporting plays at home, it has recorded a game total of under 2.5 goals in its last three Libertadores matches. Hence, I am predicting a scoreline of 1-1.

• Draw or Nacional Asuncion for 1.90
• Both Teams To Score - Yes for 1.94
• Correct Score 1-1 for 7.00