Estudiantes de Mérida vs Deportivo Táchira Prediction: Focus Shifts Towards Continental Qualification

In the upcoming fixture of the Copa Sudamericana, Estudiantes de Mérida will take on Deportivo Táchira at the Estadio Metropolitano de Mérida in Venezuela. The qualifier will test an individual's gameplay and other parameters of play. Deportivo Táchira and Estudiantes de Mérida met last month adn Deportivo Tachira won clean sheet (3-0). If we compare the head-to-head stats, Tachira has fairly dominated Merida in the past couple of years. 

Going in the matchup, Estudiantes de Mérida is coming off a win against Deportivo La Guaira (1-3) in which Jesus Gomez and Alexis Doldan scored goals. However, an own goal from Jorge Guiterrez did the trick towards the end. Even though Estudiantes de Merida is coming off consecutive wins, it record playing at Estadio Metropolitano de Mérida in last three matches has resulted in back-to-back defeats. With the likes of Ervin Zorilla, Junior Paredes, Jorge Perez, and Wilfredo Pena in the lineup, Estudiantes Merida will look to keep itself consistent and pave the path for qualification. Secondly, Merida has scored 11 goals in the last 5 matches played, averaging about 2.00 goals per game. Hence, Estudiantes de Merida will be fancying its chances for scoring early in the game.

Beycker Velásquez; Juan Medina, Edison Penilla, Alexis Doldan, Devinson Martínez; Cristian Flores, Aaron Rodríguez; Jorge Páez, Wilfredo Peña, Jesús Gómez; Junior Paredes.

For the all important qualification fixture, Deportivo Tachira will be geared up for carrying its performance from the Primera Division. In the last game against Rayo Zuliano (5-0), Diomar Diaz, Edder Faraias, Yerson Chacon, and Carlos Paraco scored goals. Tachira will be confident for the upcoming continental qualification fixture, which is likely to get the best of the players. Talking about the expected goal scoring, 4 of the last 5 league matches of Deportivo have produced at least three goals, hence, I am expecting an attacking approach from Tachira.

Alejandro Araque; Nelson Hernández, Jiovany Ramos, Gonzalo Mottes, José Marrufo; Leandro Fioravanti, Maurice Cova; Diomar Díaz, Yerson Chacón, Esli García; Edder Farías.

Comparing the two sides based on previous statistics, Deportivo Tachira leads by all factors. Secondly, Tachira has dominated Estudiantes in the last 5 head-to-head meetings. For the upcoming match, I am expecting both teams to score as in their last 9 meetings, both sides managed to score. The final scoreline is expected to be 1-2 at the end of 90 minutes of play. 

• Deportivo Tachira to Win for 2.20
• Both Teams to Score - Yes for 1.87
• Correct Score 1-2 for 9.00