CS CiencianovsAtletico Grau

Cienciano's Home Fortress

CS Cienciano, the storied club from Cusco, is set to face Atletico Grau in what promises to be a compelling encounter. Cienciano's home ground, Estadio Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, has been a fortress for them, as they have not lost in their last six home matches. Historically, Cienciano has dominated Atletico Grau at home, winning five of the last seven encounters and drawing the other two. This home advantage is a significant factor in their favor.

Atletico Grau's Struggles

Atletico Grau, on the other hand, has been struggling to find form, having not won in their last four games. Despite their recent struggles, they have shown resilience with players like Rodrigo Vilca and Neri Bandiera stepping up. However, their defense has been leaky, conceding in each of their last six matches, which could be a concern against a Cienciano side that scores an average of 2.48 goals at home.

Key Players and Tactical Insights

Cienciano's Christian Cueva has been in fine form, providing creativity and goals, while Carlos Garces remains their top scorer with 12 goals. Atletico Grau's Raul Ruidiaz, with 13 goals, will be a key threat, but the team's defensive frailties could be their undoing. Both teams have a combative style, as evidenced by their high number of yellow cards, with Santiago Arias and Rafael Guarderas leading in this regard.

Prediction and Conclusion

Given Cienciano's strong home record and Atletico Grau's defensive issues, a home win seems likely. However, with both teams capable of scoring, a 2-1 victory for Cienciano is a plausible outcome. The historical tendency for both teams to score in their encounters supports the prediction that both teams will find the net.