Universitario will play Sporting Cristal at the Estadio Monumental today in the fourth matchday of the 2026 Liga 1 Torneo Clausura. The kickoff is scheduled for 8.30 p.m. local time in Peru, marking the second meeting between both clubs this year.
Universitario, led by head coach Hector Cuper, enter the clash seeking a victory on the anniversary of the institution following a difficult defeat against Cienciano in Cusco. Sporting Cristal, managed by Roberto Mosquera, require a win to maintain their title contention in the second tournament of the season.
Match times and television coverage
The match begins at 8.30 p.m. in Peru, Colombia and Ecuador, and 7.30 p.m. in Mexico. Viewers in Bolivia, Chile and Venezuela can watch at 9.30 p.m., while kickoff is set for 12.30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8 in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay.
In Peru, the fixture will be broadcast live on television by L1 Max, the channel responsible for transmitting all Peruvian first division games. Online streaming is accessible through L1 Max Plan Full or L1 Max Movil subscriptions, with La Republica Deportes offering free online coverage, video highlights and minute by minute updates.
Probable starting lineups
Hector Cuper is expected to field the same starting eleven that played away against Cienciano del Cusco. Universitario's projected lineup includes goalkeeper Diego Romero alongside Cesar Inga, Di Benedetto, Cain Fara and Andy Polo. The midfield features Hector Fertoli, Juan Manuel Requena and Adrian Quiroz, with Lisandro Alzugaray, Jose Rivera and Alex Valera in attack.
Roberto Mosquera will rely on experienced players including Yoshimar Yotun and Hernan Barcos. Sporting Cristal are expected to start goalkeeper Diego Enriquez, guarded by defensemen Juan Cruz, Miguel Araujo, Rafael Lutiger and Cristiano Da Silva. Martin Tavara, Ian Wisdom and Yoshimar Yotun form the midfield, supporting attackers Maxloren Castro, Santiago Gonzalez and Hernan Barcos.
Betting odds and projections
Major bookmakers list Universitario as the favorites for the match at Estadio Monumental. Betsson and Betano both offer odds of 1.78 for a Universitario victory, with draws priced at 3.60 and 3.70, and a Sporting Cristal win at 4.30 and 4.45 respectively.
Bet365 offers 1.73 for a home win, 3.60 for a draw and 4.20 for an away win. 1XBet sets odds at 1.75 for Universitario, 3.64 for a draw and 4.43 for Sporting Cristal. Caliente lists odds of 1.74 for a home win, 3.65 for a draw and 4.50 for an away win, while Doradobet prices a Universitario victory at 1.80, a draw at 3.80 and a Sporting Cristal win at 4.33.
