If matchday 16 of the Clausura tournament made anything clear, it is that the winner will only be determined in the final moments. So far, four clubs are still in the fight for the second competition of Liga 1 2023: Melgar, Universitario de Deportes, Sporting Cristal and Alianza Lima.
Domino has just salvaged a draw against Alianza Lima in Matute and leads the table with 32 points, but has not yet rested on the corresponding date. Therefore, they must win their two remaining games and hope that their direct rivals suffer some setbacks to win the Clausura.
The teams led by Mariano Soso will have to face Carlos Mannucci at the Mansiche Stadium in Trujillo and Deportivo Binacional in Juliaca before ending their participation in the regular season.
In second place is Universitario, which has the same number of points as Melgar but has a lower goal difference. The Creams defeated César Vallejo University and are looking to win the tournament and even secure a spot in the direct final for the national title.
To take his chance to fight for Star 27, the team he commands Jorge Fossati He must add three in the duels he will face UTC (local), Cusco FC (visiting) and Sport Huancayo (local).
Next on the list is Sporting Cristal, who suffered a defeat against Cusco FC in the Imperial City and are in third place with 30 points. The light blue team has experienced some footballing irregularities in the last part of the Clausura, so they will have to play their three remaining games and hope that the above opponents draw or lose.
The team, led by Brazilian Tiago Nunes, will crown the competition with Sport Huancayo (local), Cienciano (visiting) and Alianza Atlético (local).
Finally, there is Alianza Lima, who have a guaranteed place in the play-offs but are not losing hope of winning the title League 1 2023 directly, but the task will not be easy.
The Blue and Whites are currently in fourth place with the same number of points as Cristal, but the draw with Melgar has prevented them from sharing the top spot with them Melgar and university. Mauricio Larriera’s team will have to play against Deportivo Binacional (visit), ADT (local) and Deportivo Garcilaso (visit).