Universidad Católica took a key 2-1 away win at Vélez Sarsfield last Tuesday thanks to goals from Fernando Zampedri and Edson Puch. Last weekend, the team had their third consecutive league game postponed (against Palestino at home) and will postpone another at O’Higgins, originally scheduled for Wednesday. However, they continue to share the top of the standings with Unión La Calera: both are at 45 points but Católica played two games less. Ariel Holan’s men have won three and lost one of their last four matches in all competitions. They lost to River Plate (Uruguay) 1-0 at home two weeks ago, snapping a ten-game unbeaten streak of nine wins and a draw at San Carlos de Apoquindo.
Velez Sarsfield will have to score at least twice to keep hope alive in the Copa Sudamericana after their 2-1 home loss to Universidad Católica last week. On a positive note, that was their only loss in the last four games in all competitions (along with two wins and a draw). On Friday, coach Mauricio Pellegrino deployed an alternative XI, which managed to beat Racing Club 2-1 at home on the first day of the losers’ stage of the Professional League Cup. Velez remains undefeated on the road with his new coach, having obtained two wins and three draws.
Vélez needs to score at least a couple of goals, Universidad Católica is dangerous in attack despite not having forward Zampedri, so I have to wait for goals here as in the first leg.