Universidad Catolica took a key 2-1 away win at Velez 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 sharing the top of the league table with Union La Calera: both are on 45 points but Catolica played two fewer games than their title contenders. Ariel Holan’s men 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, which stopped a ten-game unbeaten streak of nine wins and one draw at San Carlos de Apoquindo.
Velez Sarsfield will have to score at least twice to keep their hope alive in the Copa Sudamericana after their 2-1 home defeat to Universidad Catolica last week. On a positive note, that was their only loss across the last four games in all competitions (along with two wins and one draw). On Friday, coach Mauricio Pellegrino fielded an alternative XI, which managed to beat Racing Club 2-1 at home in the first matchday of the losers stage in the Copa Liga Profesional. Velez remains unbeaten on the road under their recently-appointed boss, having claimed two victories and three draws.
Velez needs to score at least a couple of goals, Universidad Catolica is dangerous in attack despite not having striker Zampedri, so I have to expect goals here like in the first leg.