Mushuc Runa SC vs Manta FC

</h2> <h3>Bottom-Half Battle Could Produce Goal Fest in Ambato</h3> When Mushuc Runa SC welcome Manta FC to the Estadio COAC Mushuc Runa on Friday evening, two teams mired in relegation concerns will clash in what promises to be an entertaining, if not tactically pristine, encounter. Both sides occupy the bottom half of the Liga Pro table, with the hosts (16th, 20 points) facing visitors just three places higher (13th, 25 points). <h4>Home Advantage Looms Large</h4> The venue factor cannot be understated in this fixture. Mushuc Runa has earned a staggering 85% of their total points at home this season, transforming from a side averaging just 0.23 points per game away to 1.31 per game in familiar surroundings. Their Ambato fortress has witnessed five wins from 13 attempts, modest by championship standards but gold-dust given their away record of zero victories. Conversely, Manta's travel sickness has reached epidemic proportions. The coastal club has failed to register a single away victory in 13 attempts, collecting just seven points on their travels. Their defensive frailties become exponentially worse away from home - they've kept zero clean sheets in away fixtures while averaging 1.69 goals conceded per game on the road. <h4>Tactical Setup and Key Personnel</h4> Mushuc Runa will likely deploy their preferred 4-4-2 formation, with veteran <strong>Ángel Gracia</strong> operating as the creative fulcrum behind the attacking partnership. The 36-year-old has contributed three goals and four assists in Liga Pro action, making him the focal point of their build-up play. Young striker <strong>Elián Caicedo</strong> has emerged as a genuine threat with three goals and four assists from 18 appearances, offering pace and direct running that could exploit Manta's defensive vulnerabilities. Goalkeeper <strong>Rodrigo Formento</strong> will be crucial given both teams' propensity for conceding. The Uruguayan shot-stopper has faced 35 goals in 18 Liga Pro appearances but has made 51 saves, suggesting he'll be busy again. For Manta, much depends on their ability to get <strong>Daniel Valencia</strong> into the game. The striker has been their standout performer with 14 goals, though his overall statistics aren't reflected in the provided data. <strong>Facundo Ospitaleche</strong> will anchor the midfield after appearing in 21 matches, while <strong>Braian Ramírez</strong> provides creativity from deeper positions with one goal and one assist. <h4>Weather and Conditions</h4> The Andean climate in Ambato could play a factor, with temperatures expected around 12-16°C and possible light rain during the 21:30 UTC kickoff. These conditions typically favor a more measured approach, but given both teams' defensive issues, any tactical caution may prove academic. <h4>Recent Form Analysis</h4> Neither side enters this fixture with confidence. Mushuc Runa has managed just five points from their last eight Liga Pro matches, while their goal output has decreased by over 30% during this period. However, they've tightened defensively, conceding 27.7% fewer goals than their season average suggests some tactical progress under pressure. Manta's decline has been even more pronounced, with their points-per-game ratio dropping 34.4% in recent fixtures. Their six-match winless streak includes a disappointing 0-1 home defeat to Deportivo Cuenca, ending a brief two-match unbeaten run. <h4>Historical Context and Expectations</h4> The head-to-head record slightly favors Mushuc Runa, who have won eight of their 17 encounters with Manta, losing four and drawing five. However, their most recent meeting in May saw Manta triumph 2-1 at home, suggesting the visitors retain some psychological edge despite their current struggles. <h4>The Crucial Factor: Defensive Fragility</h4> Perhaps the most telling statistic heading into this encounter is Manta's complete inability to keep clean sheets away from home. Zero shutouts in 13 away matches represents a defensive crisis that Mushuc Runa will be desperate to exploit. Meanwhile, the hosts have managed just 23% clean sheet rate at home, well below the league average of 29%. This defensive vulnerability from both sides, combined with their tendency to score late goals (both teams netted frequently in the 76-90 minute bracket), suggests an open, goal-laden encounter despite the modest quality on display. The pressure on both teams - Mushuc Runa to avoid dropping into serious relegation danger, Manta to climb further from the bottom three - should ensure committed, if not always composed, performances. With fan expectations tempered by poor recent form but both clubs desperate for points, this fixture has all the ingredients for the type of chaotic, entertaining encounter that often characterizes matches between struggling sides fighting for Liga Pro survival.