Defending champions LDU Quito will welcome Club Always Ready to the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana round of 32 on Thursday. The hosts play their first game in over a month while the visitors play their second match of the month.
The hosts will play for the first time since a 2-2 draw against Deportivo Cuenca in their final match of the Ecuadorian LigaPro first round in June. Michael Estrada and Lisandro Joel Alzugaray scored in the first half but they gave away the lead in the second half.
The visitors were held to a 1-1 draw against Real Tomayapo in the Bolivian Primeira Division match on Saturday. They finished second in Group A of the Copa Sudamericana to book their place in the knockout stage of the competition for the first time in history.
LDU Quito vs Club Always Ready Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams will meet for the first time.
- The hosts have met Bolivian teams 22 times in all competitions. They have a decent record in these meetings with 10 wins and eight defeats.
- The visitors, meanwhile, meet an Ecuadorian team for the first time in history.
- The hosts are unbeaten in their last three games in all competitions, with two games ending in draws. They have scored two goals each in these games.
- LDU Quito have suffered just one loss at home against Bolivian teams.
- Club Always Ready are winless in their last three games in all competitions, suffering two losses.
- The visitors had suffered just one loss in the group stage of the Copa Sudamericana, with that loss coming in their away meeting against Independiente Medellin.
- The hosts have suffered just two losses in their last 19 games in the Copa Sudamericana.
LDU Quito vs Club Always Ready Prediction
Rey de Copas Ecuatoriano have suffered just one loss at home in their last eight games in all competitions, recording six wins. They have won six of their last 10 home games in the Sudamericana, keeping six clean sheets, and are strong favorites.
Albirrojo are winless in their last three games, suffering two losses, and have failed to score in these losses. They have just one win in their last 22 away games in all competitions, which is a cause for concern. They are winless in four away games in the Sudamericana.
Considering the home advantage for the reigning champions and their impressive record in the Sudamericana, they are expected to eke out a narrow win.
Prediction: LDU Quito 2-1 Club Always Ready
LDU Quito vs Club Always Ready Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - LDU Quito to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Alex Arce to score or assist any time - Yes