- Sporting Cristal form: Sporting Cristal have won 1 and lost 1 of their 2 Clausura 2026 fixtures.
- Juan Pablo II form: Juan Pablo II have won 1 and drawn 1 of their 2 Clausura 2026 matches.
- Head-to-head: Sporting Cristal won 2-0 at Juan Pablo II in Liga 1 – Apertura 2026, five months ago.
Cristal can counter Juan Pablo II in Lima
Form and odds
Sporting Cristal Lima are favorites to win at 1.24 when they host Juan Pablo II College in the Peruvian capital on Sunday, but there's enough value in the odds to make the bet, as long as the punter is content with a single result. The hosts have been unconvincing so far in the Clausura 2026 season and Juan Pablo II are flying with 4 points from their first two games.
So 1.24 makes no sense in this game, even though the visitors are big longshots at 9.75, and the tie at 6.0 looks overpriced as well. Cristal come into the game after a 0-0 home draw against Bragantino Red Bull in the Copa Sudamericana Playoffs 2026, and are 9th in the Clausura 2026 table with 3 points from their opening two matches. They lost 2-1 away to FBC Melgar last time out after getting caught in a counter-attacking game, but the side should be much improved here with Roberto Mosquera back in charge since 8th June 2026.
Tactics and key players
Mosquera has restored structure and discipline to the side, whose 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 system is built on controlled possession, a compact shape and smart forward moves on the counter attack or down the flanks with the fullbacks. Maxloren Castro has been a spark for Cristal this season, already registering 1 assist in 2 games for the Clausura 2026, while Irven Avila is the finish man for this side, leading the line with 1 goal in 2.
Jorge Araujo’s men are an interesting team
Form and coaching
Juan Pablo II College enter this game in high spirits after a 2-0 win at home to Cienciano in their last Liga 1 – Clausura 2026 game, following a 2-2 draw at FC Cajamarca in the season opener. Jorge Araujo, who has been in charge of the club since 18th May 2026, has given them an identity, making them an interesting prospect for this matchup.
Style
Araujo's side are an attacking side who like to push the tempo and can play some nice short passing combinations to try to get the ball in behind teams.
Key players
So we think Sporting Cristal should have the edge at home and that the odds aren't right in the result market. This fixture tends to go towards Sporting Cristal, with 1 win and 1 draw in the last two meetings across Liga 1 – Apertura 2026 and recent clashes. Over 2.5 goals at 1.38 and Both Teams to Score – Yes at 1.73 both pass the eye test, but we're edging towards a home win in this fixture because of the edge Sporting Cristal will have on their home turf and the fact that Juan Pablo II College haven't won away from home in the Clausura 2026 so far.
Cristal have won 1 and lost 0 of their 1 home game in the Clausura 2026, scoring exactly 1 goal per game. A 2-0 or 2-1 win for Sporting Cristal fits the data best and would represent a solid home win for the hosts against a visiting side that can be got at on the break.
- They have been impressive in the final third, with Paolo Reyna the creative hub in Liga 1 – Clausura 2026, already recording 2 assists in his 2 games.
- Josue Torres has been in good form up front for Juan Pablo II College, with 2 goals in 2 games.
