Binacional still a work in progress under new manager Claudio Bustamante
Our EM Deportivo Binacional vs FBC Melgar Arequipa prediction sees the home side currently 8th in the table on 0 points after 0 games of the Liga 1 – Apertura 2025 season, while FBC Melgar Arequipa occupy 14th place on 0 points, but the two clubs should get the ball rolling with a competitive clash on Saturday. Binacional will be looking to take the momentum from a 1-0 home victory over Sport Huancayo into this game after a difficult midweek 5-1 defeat at the hands of Alianza Lima.
New boss Claudio Bustamante, appointed in May 2025, will be determined to get his side organised and playing a more pragmatic brand of football.
They will need to be defensively sound to shut out Melgar, who are a more assertive ball-dominant team under manager Walter Ribonetto, who has been in charge since November 2024.
A recent 1-1 draw away to Juan Pablo II College and a 0-1 defeat at home to Alianza Lima suggest there is still work to be done.
Close contest expected to ensue with more than a derby clash at stake
Binacional are generally a direct team with a counter-attacking style of play. In this EM Deportivo Binacional vs FBC Melgar Arequipa preview, we note that they look to keep things compact, discipline in their defensive third and hit opponents on the counter attack with the pace and energy they have down the wings. Melgar should have the better of this contest with a historical advantage in the fixture and a slight edge in EM Deportivo Binacional vs FBC Melgar Arequipa odds at 2.20 against Binacional, who are 3.50 and the draw 3.25.
We’re going to swerve the match outcome markets and take a chance on ‘under 2.5 goals’ for our EM Deportivo Binacional vs FBC Melgar Arequipa prediction, however, because this could be a chess match between Bustamante’s pragmatic approach and Ribonetto’s assertive control. There is likely to be a close encounter between these two sides with the league position and regional pride at stake, and recent history tells us not to expect too many goals in the game. For those considering value-added insights, check our EM Deportivo Binacional vs FBC Melgar Arequipa betting tips.
