Alajuelense — Cartagines : Match Preview and Prediction for September 04,2025

Alajuelense’s Recent Defensive Prowess

Alajuelense’s last five matches have consistently ended with under 2.5 goals. The team demonstrates an exceedingly pragmatic approach, vividly exemplified by their recent 1-0 victory over Saprissa. In that particular fixture, Alajuelense’s players managed only six attempts on goal throughout the entire game, with a mere two finding the target, yet it proved sufficient for securing the win.

Washington Ortega: The Defensive Anchor

A cornerstone of the team’s defensive structure is the Uruguayan goalkeeper, Washington Ortega. The club recently extended his contract until 2028, with media outlets hailing him as “a pivotal figure,” a claim substantiated by his impressive record of 23 clean sheets in 39 appearances. Coach Oscar Ramirez also emphasizes that Ortega’s arrival has injected a crucial reliability into their goalkeeping, which was previously lacking.

Alajuelense’s Tactical Identity: Solid Defense, Modest Attack

The league statistics unequivocally reinforce Alajuelense’s defensive orientation. The team holds the second-best defensive record in the league, conceding a mere two goals across five matches. Conversely, their offensive output is modest, with just four goals scored, ranking among the division’s lowest. This paints a clear picture of a team that builds its strategy from the back and eschews high-scoring spectacles.

Cartaginés: A Mirror Image of Defensive Strength

Cartaginés presents almost a mirror image of their upcoming opponent. They boast the league’s stingiest defense, having conceded only a solitary goal over five fixtures. However, their attacking prowess appears even less convincing than Alajuelense’s, with an identical tally of four goals scored in five outings. This offensive inefficiency is particularly evident in their recent matches, marked by goalless draws against Puntarenas and Guadalupe.

Offensive Struggles and Key Absences

In their most recent encounter against Puntarenas, which concluded in a 0-0 stalemate, Cartaginés registered a mere six shots on goal. Statistics confirm the team’s struggles in both creating and converting scoring opportunities. Compounding the situation are personnel losses in the midfield, with Douglas Lopez, Christopher Nunez, and Bernald Alfaro sidelined due to injuries, further diminishing their creative potential.

Consistent Low-Scoring Away Form

It’s also worth noting Cartaginés’s away performance. In 15 of their last 16 away fixtures, the team has not seen more than two goals scored. This highlights a well-established pattern of play on the road, where defensive solidity is prioritized, and attacking ambition takes a backseat. The team avoids taking risks and prefers to operate with utmost caution.