Olimpia-Antigua, Saprissa-Municipal to decide quarterfinals spots | OneFootball

MIAMI – The 2024 Concacaf Central American Cup concludes its group stage on Thursday, as the 20 best clubs compete to be crowned champions in early December.

The final matchday in the group stage will conclude action in Groups C and D. Two encounters will determine direct placement in the quarterfinals.

AD Guanacasteca vs. Real Estelí FC

AD Guanacasteca faces Real Estelí FC in Group D at Estadio Edgardo Baltodano Briceño in Liberia, Costa Rica. The meeting will be the first ever between the sides.

Guanacasteca will conclude its participation in the Central American Cup, seeking a historic first win after registering a draw and two losses. The Pamperos will aim to remain undefeated at home after drawing 1-1 against Managua FC on the previous matchday.

Real Estelí is undefeated in the tournament, with two wins and a draw. Already through to the next round, Estelí will look to preserve its first place in Group D with at least a draw. The 2023 runners-up enter the match unbeaten in its last four CCAC meetings. Byron Bonilla leads the team in goals created with three.

Club Atlético Independiente vs. CD Águila

Club Atlético Independiente hosts CD Águila in Group C at Estadio Rommel Fernández in Panama City, Panama. The match will be the first between the sides in any Concacaf club tournament.

CAI will look to conclude its campaign with consecutive wins after its 1-nil victory against Port Layola FC. The Panamanian club is fourth in the group with three points. The 2023 semifinalists will also aim to extend its all-time unbeaten home record in the competition to six.

Águila will seek a win to advance to the knockout round as the group winner. The Salvadorian side currently leads with seven points and is unbeaten with two wins and a draw, achieving two clean sheets in the process. Carlos Salazar leads the team in goals with three this campaign.

Deportivo Saprissa vs. CSD Municipal

Deportivo Saprissa Welcome CSD Municipal in Group D at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa in San Juan de Tibás, Costa Rica. The two meet in a crucial match that will decide a spot in the quarterfinals.

Saprissa needs only a draw to maintain its place amongst the top two in the group. Municipal needs to win to jump above Saprissa in the standings and claim the berth to the knockout stage.

The Costa Rican side enters this bout with six points after registering two wins and a loss. The Purple club will look to build on positive momentum after winning three of its last four CCAC matchups.

Debutants in the 2024 edition, Municipal will look to secure a second consecutive victory to advance to the next phase. Rudy Barrientos, José Morales, and José Martínez helped create the three goals in the club’s previous win against Guanacasteca.

The meeting will be the first for the teams in the Central American Cup and 23rd overall across all competitions. Saprissa leads the all-time series with eight wins to four and 10 draws.

Club Olimpia vs. Antigua GFC

Club Olimpia and Antigua GFC meet for the first time in Group C at Estadio Nacional Chelato Uclés in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Olimpia needs a win to overtake Antigua for second place, while the visitors need at least a draw to remain amongst the top two and move onto the knockout round.

Olimpia has accumulated six points and will aim to extend a run of four wins from its last five encounters. The Hondurans also have an unbeaten record at home, with two wins thus far.

Debutants Antigua has recorded two wins and a draw. The Guatemalan side will strive to close out the group stage with at least a draw to advance to the next stage.  José Ardon leads the team in goals with three and is tied for second in the Top Scorer race.