Real Estelí, Deportivo Saprissa meet for first place in Central American Cup

MIAMI – The 2024 Central American Cup continues with its fourth week of competition on Tuesday, as the 20 best clubs compete to be crowned champions in early December.

The matchday starts with a third Central American Cup meeting between Real Estelí FC and Deportivo Saprissa, followed by a first-ever matchup in the tournament between Alianza FC and LD Alajuelense.

Real Estelí F.C. vs. Deportivo Saprissa

Real Estelí FC meets Deportivo Saprissa in Group D at the Estadio Independencia in Estelí, Nicaragua.

Real Estelí will be looking to maintain its place among the top two teams in Group D and extend its unbeaten record after earning a draw and a victory in its opening fixtures. The 2023 runner-up will also look to capitalize on its positive home record in the tournament, with the team having won five of six home games all-time.

Saprissa will strive for a third win in this year’s edition after defeating AD Guanacasteca 5-nil and Managua FC 3-2 in its opening games. The Costa Rican side leads the group with six points and will defend its spot against second-place Real Estelí, who can take the top spot with four points already in hand.

The teams will face each other for the third time in the Central American Cup and 11^th overall across all competitions. Saprissa has won seven times, Real Estelí once, and three encounters have ended as draws.

Alianza FC vs. Liga Deportiva Alajuelense

Alianza FC meets Liga Deportiva Alajuelense in Group B at the Estadio Cuscatlán in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Alianza will play the third game of its campaign and is searching for consecutive wins after a 5-2 victory against LA Firpo. Anyelo Rodríguez scored two goals in the win and leads the team in scoring.

Alajuelense will enter its third match after earning two wins. The inaugural champions remain unbeaten in the Central American Cup, with nine wins and three draws. The club has also won five of six away matches and kept clean sheets in three of those encounters.

This matchup will be the first between the teams in the Central American Cup. The two have met on six previous occasions, with four wins for Alajuelense, one for Alianza, and one draw.