Raphael Durand
Dailysports's expert
The matchday 5 showdown in the Copa Sudamericana group stage between Puerto Cabello and Melgar is set for Wednesday at the "Misael Delgado" stadium. I suggest betting on goals in this clash, with an attractive odds offer.
Match preview
The "Citizens" delivered a spectacular home victory over Vasco da Gama (4-1) in their last Copa Sudamericana outing, showcasing their ability to compete with higher-profile opponents. However, on the international stage, the Venezuelans remain unpredictable: recent defeats to Melgar (0-1) and Estudiantes Mérida (0-1) highlight their struggles to find the net at critical moments.
The team sits third in the group table with 4 points, trailing Vasco da Gama by one and Lanús by four. On home turf, Puerto Cabello has shown solid form, winning three of their last four home games and losing just once. Heading into the Melgar clash, the "Citizens" are coming off a goalless draw against Carabobo in the league.
Peruvian side Melgar approach this fixture after a home win over Cienciano (2-1), but their Copa Sudamericana campaign has been less convincing. The team lost to Lanús (0-1) in the previous round, though they previously took all points against Puerto Cabello (1-0). Currently, Melgar sit at the bottom of the group, but only by tiebreakers with their upcoming rivals.
Melgar's main issue is inconsistency: after a strong start to the season, they've alternated between impressive performances and setbacks, preventing them from securing top spot in the Peruvian Apertura. Away matches have traditionally been challenging for the "Lions of the South," as shown by just one win in their last four games on the road.
Probable lineups
- Puerto Cabello: Romero L. (GK) (C), Casiani L., Peraza E., Mbaye M., Linares J., Guerrero R., Cedeño J., Contreras J., Padron G., Mesa D., Paredes J.
- Melgar: Cabezudo J. (GK) (C), Lazo M., Barrios P., González L., Lllontop M., Tandazo V., Arias A., Rodríguez G., Guzmán L., Cabrera Nakamura K. G., Liza P.
Match facts and head-to-head
- In the first round, Melgar beat their opponent 1-0
- The "Both teams to score" bet landed in three of Puerto Cabello's last five matches
- The "Over 2.5 goals" bet came through in three of Puerto Cabello's last five games
Prediction
Bookmakers aren't favoring either side in this matchup, and that's a fair assessment. Both teams are neck and neck in the standings, so betting on goals looks the better option. Our pick for this game: "Total over 2.0" at odds of 1.61.
