- Form (UTC): UTC is winless in their last 5 matches (W0, D3, L2).
- Form (Comerciantes): Comerciantes Unidos arrives in mixed form (W1, D2, L2).
- Home/Away: UTC is unbeaten at home in Clausura 2026 (D2 in 2) and Comerciantes Unidos is winless on the road (D1, L2 in 3).
El Gavilán to hold off the Águilas de Cutervo
Match context
El Gavilán host the Águilas de Cutervo in a Cajamarca local derby on Saturday where pride is on the line as well as 3 points, which are essential for both teams at this early stage of the Clausura 2026 season. UTC are 18th with 2 points from 4 matches, while Comerciantes Unidos are 12th with 5 from 5.
Coaches and tactics
Cristian Paulucci has been at the helm of the home side since May 25th 2026, and has implemented a 4-2-3-1 that will try to press and disrupt opponents when in possession and transition quickly to create chances. The last 3 matches of UTC have been 0-0 against UCV Moquegua, a 4-1 defeat to Cusco FC and a 1-1 draw with ADT, so they lack bite up front in this competition so far.
Comerciantes Unidos has a new coach since June 21st 2026, José Eugenio Hernández, who has been pragmatic and set his team up in a compact structure with a counterattacking edge. Their form in Clausura has been mixed, with a 3-1 home win over Cusco FC followed by a 1-0 away defeat to Atletico Grau, leaving a sour taste in the mouth for the visitors.
Marcos Lliuya and Matías Sen are in the net
Marcos Lliuya (UTC) has 2 goals in 4 appearances, and is the main reference point for UTC in the attacking third.
Comerciantes Unidos' Matías Sen (4 goals in 5 Clausura appearances) is also in fine form, and has a knack of being in the right place at the right time. Rodrigo Vilca is the playmaker pulling the strings with 3 assists in 5 appearances, and is the best value to create openings down the wings.
Match will be tight
UTC has conceded just 1 goal at home in Clausura 2026 and should have enough resolve to keep this tight in Cajamarca, Comerciantes Unidos has scored 4 in 3 away matches, so may be able to nick one if they can exploit UTC in transition.
- The odds make UTC marginal favorites at 1.98, Comerciantes Unidos at 4.09 and the draw at 3.35, so we need to find an alternate approach.
- The draw and under 2.5 goals is a good fit for this matchup, as this fixture has all the makings of a tight game, where UTC will try to set the pace and pressure the visitors, who will sit deep and try to catch them on the counterattack.
