Vitoria vs Universidad Catolica prediction, odds & betting tips – 03/04/2025

Brazilian side Vitoria take on Ecuador’s Universidad Catolica at the Estádio Manoel Barradas in the group stage of the Copa Sudamericana on Thursday, 3 April. Read our Copa Sudamericana predictions for the clash below.

Vitoria vs Universidad Catolica prediction: Chess-like battle could develop

Key Stats

• Seven of Vitoria’s last eight fixtures in all competitions featured under 2.5 goals, while the same matches averaged just 2.00 goals per contest.
• Vitoria have lost only one of their last 14 home assignments in all competitions.
• Four Vitoria players were booked in their 2-0 loss to Juventude last time out.
• Universidad scored only one goal in their last five Copa Sudamericana fixtures combined.

Correct score prediction: Vitoria 1-1 Universidad Catolica

Vitoria and Universidad are both short on firepower and a low-scoring draw could be the outcome to consider here. Vitoria scored exactly once in three of their last five home games, so a 1-1 draw looks like a good fit for this one.

Pre-game odds and win probability: Hosts are odds-on favourites

• HOME: 8/13 (1.62) – 61.9%
• DRAW: 13/5 (3.60) – 27.8%
• AWAY: 5/1 (6.00) – 16.7%

*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change

Vitoria lost their Brazilian Serie A opener at Juventude (0-2) last time out, though they have a 61.9% probability of success in their first Copa Sudamericana outing of the campaign on Thursday.

Universidad Catolica collected only nine points from their first six games of the new Uruguayan league season and with their form patchy, they’ve been installed as 5/1 underdogs here . View more of our latest football predictions and analysis on our dedicated page.

Most recent H2Hs: Teams have never met before

Vitoria and Universidad Catolica have never met before and Thursday’s game will be their first-ever encounter.

Vitoria preview: Baralhas and Matheuzinho out

Gabriel Baralhas and Matheuzinho missed Vitoria's loss to Juventude and both players could be absent again in midweek. Head Coach Thiago Carpini likes to use a 4-3-3 formation and he could use the same setup in what will be Vitoria's first Copa Sudamericana game since 2016.

Predicted lineup: Vasconcelos (GK), Claudinho, Halter, Neris, Jamerson, Ronald, Ryller, Pepe, Silva, Janderson, Rato

Brazil Serie A 13/04/25

D

Atletico Mineiro

2

Vitoria

2

Copa Sudamericana 10/04/25

D

Defensa y Justicia

0

Vitoria

0

Brazil Serie A 06/04/25

L

Flamengo

2

Vitoria

1

Copa Sudamericana 03/04/25

D

Universidad Catolica del Ecuador

1

Vitoria

1

Brazil Serie A 29/03/25

L

EC Juventude

2

Vitoria

0

Universidad Catolica preview: Visitors have more continental experience

Ecuador's Universidad Catloica reached the Round of 32 of last season's Copa Sudamericana before they were knocked out by Paraguayan side Libertad. Their 37-year-old manager, Diego Martinez, has been in the hotseat since December and coached Ecuador's U17 team earlier in his career.

Predicted lineup: Lara (GK), Anangono, Canga, Medina, Casillo, Troya, Cacciabue, Romero, M. Diaz, I. Diaz, Palacios

Copa Sudamericana 11/04/25

W

Cerro Largo

1

Universidad Catolica del Ecuador

3

Ecuador LigaPro Serie A 06/04/25

W

Macara

0

Universidad Catolica del Ecuador

1

Copa Sudamericana 03/04/25

D

Vitoria

1

Universidad Catolica del Ecuador

1

Ecuador LigaPro Serie A 29/03/25

L

Vinotinto Ecuador

3

Universidad Catolica del Ecuador

2

Ecuador LigaPro Serie A 15/03/25

W

Manta FC

0

Universidad Catolica del Ecuador

3

Player to watch – Jamerson

Vitoria left-back Jamerson loves to raid forward from his defensive berth and the 26-year-old lodged a game-high four shots in his club’s recent 2-0 loss to Juventude in Brazil’s Serie A.

Loanee Jamerson eager to impress

Jamerson, who is a recent loan acquisition from Coritiba, has been something of a journeyman during his career so far, though he has a chance to establish a reputation at Vitoria and he will be determined to shine on the continental stage this week.