Clash of styles in Cusco
Deportivo Garcilaso and Universitario de Deportes clash in a fascinating fixture on Sunday afternoon that pits two contrasting philosophies against each other in the title race for the Liga 1 – Apertura 2025 and the battle for continental qualification. Our Deportivo Garcilaso vs Universitario de Deportes prediction highlights just how pivotal this meeting could be for both teams’ ambitions.
Guillermo Duró took over as Garcilaso’s manager in June 2024 and has instilled an attacking approach that is in stark contrast to that of Jorge Fossati’s Universitario, who have become the team to beat after he took over the reins in May 2025.
His side are ruthlessly efficient at the back and are equally as disciplined in their pressing and counter-attacking game. Meanwhile, Garcilaso are a free-flowing side that like to play high-tempo football and are always proactive with their possession and pressing, often committing bodies forward in search of goals. According to this Deportivo Garcilaso vs Universitario de Deportes preview, the tactical duel is set to entertain fans.
Universitario can nick it in a close game
The matchup of these styles will be fascinating to watch and could be a chess match or a spectacle depending on which side has more of their day on the pitch.
Universitario are the red-hot favourites and deserve to be with four wins and a draw from their last five matches.
They demolished ADT 5-0 last time out and have won two and drawn one of their last three on the road, so they will certainly bring the confidence to Cusco to take three points.
Fossati’s side have conceded just 0.88 goals per game away in Liga 1 – Apertura 2025 and their 4-2-2 away record gives them a bit of a cushion in the Deportivo Garcilaso vs Universitario de Deportes odds.
Garcilaso can make a game of it
Garcilaso have won five and lost three of their eight home games and are solid but not outstanding. They head into the game off the back of back-to-back home wins and should make it close with the likes of Pablo Erustes, who has bagged 10 goals in just 13 league matches.
Adrian Ugarriza has scored three in his last five appearances for Garcilaso and offers some extra firepower from the bench, while Universitario’s Alex Valera has the eye for goal to come through when it matters most, finding the net seven times in 16 appearances in Liga 1 – Apertura 2025.
Considering both sides’ contrasting styles and the respective form of the two teams, the visitors will likely take all three points in what could be a tense clash. However, given the 3.45 and 2.10 price for the home and away sides, respectively, Garcilaso are a fair price and we think Universitario will have to dig deep to nick it. The best Deportivo Garcilaso vs Universitario de Deportes betting tips suggest that backing the both teams to score market could yield more value given Universitario’s solidity away and Garcilaso’s scoring prowess at home. For our final Deportivo Garcilaso vs Universitario de Deportes prediction, we see value in expecting a closely contested match with action at both ends.
