Deportivo Saprissa's Ariel Rodriguez (R) (Photo : Reuters)
Deportivo Saprissa, the 2014 Costa Rican Primera División champions, will face Liga MX 2015 Clausura winners Club Santos Laguna on Tuesday at their home field of Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá in San Juan de Tibás.
Saprissa and Santos Laguna both have one wins so far in the 2015-2016 CONCACAF Champions League as they defeated Trinidad and Tobago champs W Connection FC during their opening games in the annual tournament both curiously with scores of 4-0.
On August 4, Cape Verde international Djaniny scored a double for Los Guerreros, while midfielder teammates Alonso Escoboza and Luis Ángel Mendoza contributed one apiece to complete the rout of the Trinidadians.
El Glorioso also dominated the Savonetta Boys as Deyver Vega, David Guzmán, David Ramírez, and Dylan Flores each found the net en route to the blowout win. The match was held last August 20 also at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa.
Jeaustin Campos' team will again be led by young Costa Rican striker Ariel Rodriguez and team captain center back Gabriel Badilla.
Prediction: El Monstruo Morado over Los Verdiblancos 2-1. Both teams appear to have equal strength on paper, but playing in front of their hometown fans gives a slight edge to Saprissa. Santos Laguna may pull off a draw, however.
Match Details
Saprissa starting lineup (3-5-2 formation): Carvajal; Machado, Imperiale, Calvo; Vega, Monge, Guzmán, Reid, Angulo; Rodríguez, Escoe
Santos Laguna starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Marchesín; Ibáñez, Izquierdoz, Araujo, Abella; Escoboza, Rivas, Molina, Calderón; Djaniny, Rivera
Date: Tuesday, August 25
Time: 10:00 p.m. (UTC-4)
Venue: Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá, San Juan de Tibás, San José, Costa Rica
Gamecast & Commentary: ESPN FC
TV Info & Live Stream: Fox Soccer 2Go USA, Univision Deportes USA / Live Stream - SofaScore
