FC Cincinnati vs Santos Laguna Predicted lineup, betting tips, odds, injury news, H2H, telecast | Leagues Cup 2024

High-flying Cincinnati set to clash with struggling Santos Laguna.

Had FC Cincinnati not experienced a trifecta of consecutive league defeats, they would have effortlessly ascended above Inter Miami to claim the pinnacle of the Eastern Conference table in Major League Soccer. Known colloquially as the Orange and the Blue, FC Cincinnati demonstrated remarkable resilience, swiftly recovering from these setbacks in their League Cup campaign. They initiated their campaign with a narrow victory over Querétaro. Then delivered a decisive 4-2 triumph against New York City FC in their final group stage fixture, thereby topping Group L and advancing to the Round of 32.

In their most recent encounter with New York City FC, FC Cincinnati orchestrated a dramatic turnaround. After succumbing to a two-goal deficit within an hour, they scored four goals in a blistering ten-minute spell towards the end of regulation time. Although Cincinnati are the favoured side for the upcoming clash, they must remain grounded and not underestimate Santos Laguna, who could pose a significant threat to their Round of 16 ambitions.

Conversely, Santos Laguna are currently enduring a dismal phase. They have yet to secure a single victory in their Liga MX campaign, accumulating only a solitary point from a draw amid three defeats across four matches. They are determined to reverse their fortunes in the League Cup, though their campaign began with a humiliating 3-0 defeat at the hands of DC United.

In their most recent fixture against Atlanta United, they played to a goalless draw and narrowly triumphed 5-3 in a penalty shootout. Their tepid performances relegated them to second place in Group K, yet they advanced due to a superior head-to-head record despite an inferior goal difference compared to Atlanta United. Although it would require a monumental effort for Santos Laguna to overcome FC Cincinnati in the forthcoming match, they remain resolute in their quest to secure an upset and progress further in the competition.

While the fixture appears to favour FC Cincinnati, the unpredictable nature of football means that Santos Laguna’s potential for an upset cannot be disregarded. Despite their underwhelming performances, their perseverance and determination could yet enable them to pull off a surprise. It will be intriguing to see whether FC Cincinnati can sustain their dominance or if Santos Laguna will finally achieve a long-awaited victory.

Kick-Off:

Saturday, 10 August 2024 at 5:00 AM IST

Location: TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, USA

Form:

FC Cincinnati (in all competitions): W-W-L-L-L

Santos Laguna (in all competitions): D-L-L-L-D

📸 📸 📸 📸 📸 📸 📸 📸 📸 📸 📸 📸 📸Match gallery: https://t.co/zFtW80dr03 pic.twitter.com/9YZgEhiedp

— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) August 7, 2024

Players to Watch:

Gerardo Valenzuela (FC Cincinnati)

The 19-year-old prodigy from Florida, Gerardo Valenzuela, has rapidly ascended through the ranks with his remarkable footballing prowess. Having spent a season with Inter Miami, Valenzuela transferred to FC Cincinnati in 2020. He has accumulated 34 appearances and netted seven goals for the second team.

Recently promoted to the senior squad, Valenzuela made an immediate impact by scoring his debut goal in a resounding 6-1 victory against his former club, Inter Miami. Standing at 6 feet tall, this American midfielder is a promising talent, showcasing all the attributes necessary to evolve into a formidable player in the years ahead. His blend of technical skill, vision and composure makes him an intriguing prospect to watch closely.

Anderson Santamarina (Santos Laguna)

The seasoned 32-year-old Peruvian centre-back, Anderson Santamarina, is poised to fortify Santos Laguna’s defence against FC Cincinnati’s dynamic attack. Santamarina commenced his career with Ayacucho, where he made 57 appearances before moving to León de Huánuco. His subsequent stints with Melgar and Puebla paved the way for his significant tenure with Atlas, where he amassed over 100 appearances.

Integral to Atlas’ success, he was instrumental in their victories in the Liga MX Apertura 2021, Liga MX Clausura 2022 and the Campeón de Campeones 2022. His stellar performances earned him a spot in the Liga MX Best XI in 2021. Representing Peru on 33 occasions, Santamarina brings a wealth of experience and defensive solidity. Recently joining Santos Laguna, he aims to leverage his expertise to rejuvenate the team’s fortunes and steer them back to winning ways. His leadership and defensive acumen will be pivotal in achieving this objective.

Secure your spot now 🎟️🔗 https://t.co/2Xplfoy3gp pic.twitter.com/uJt2chKKG6

— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) August 6, 2024

Match Facts:

• Santos Laguna are winless in their last five matches.
• FC Cincinnati are currently placed second in the Eastern Conference table of MLS.
• FC Cincinnati won their last two matches.

FC Cincinnati vs Santos Laguna: Betting Tips and Odds

• Tip 1: FC Cincinnati to win the match.
• Tip 2: Corey Baird to score or assist.
• Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half.

Injury and Team News:

The MLS side FC Cincinnati will most likely miss the presence of their centre-back duo, Matt Miazga and Nick Hagglund.

Santos Laguna’s list of absentees includes Mexican centre-forward José Macías and his compatriot Ronaldo Prieto.

Head to Head:

These two sides will most likely face each other for the first time, as there are no previous records of them meeting before.

Predicted Lineup:

FC Cincinnati (3-4-1-2):

Walters (GK); Powell, Keller, Murphy; Orellano, Nwobodo, Pinto, Halsey; Valenzuela; Kelsy, Baird

Santos Laguna (4-2-3-1):

López (GK); Medina, Núñez, Santamarina, Amione; Mariscal, Naveda; Carrillo, Fagundez, Sordo; Lozano

Match Prediction:

Given the disparity in form and quality between the two sides, FC Cincinnati are expected to secure a commanding victory over Santos Laguna and advance to the Round of 16.

Predictions: FC Cincinnati 4-1 Santos Laguna

Telecast:

The match will be streamed across Apple TV.

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