TEAM NEWS
Cobresal are set to stick with the same side that impressed in the 2-1 win over Deportes Temuco last time out, although striker Ever Cantero may have earned his starting place back with the winner in that one.
Universidad Chile will be without defender Gonzalo Jara, who is both injured and suspended for the next few weeks. Goalkeeper Johnny Herrera is set to return after recovering from his knee problem, however. Number 2 custodian Fernando de Paul is still injured, while striker Sebastian Ubilla is a long-term absentee.
MATCH PREVIEW
Just before the international break, Cobresal picked up their first victory of the season with a 2-1 away win over Deportes Temuco. That lifted them up to mid-table on six points. Dalcio Giovagnoli’s men have both scored and conceded five goals to date. Surprisingly their away form (five points) has been better than their home (one point) to date, although their two home matches so far came against the early pacesetters Iquique (2-1 defeat) and Santiago Wanderers (1-1 draw).
Just as it looked like Universidad Chile had turned a corner, they found themselves 3-0 down at home to city rivals Universidad Catolica after just 43 minutes. That loss has been compounded by the aforementioned suspension of Gonzalo Jara while manager Sebastian Beccacece will come under even more pressure now he serves a three-match ban for kicking over a drinks machine on the touchline. They have seven points from a possible 15 so far, leaving them six points off the pace at the top, which considering the quality in their squad is a major disappointment. They have won one and lost one away from home so far.
My money is on a home win here. Universidad Chile’s defence gifts the opposition too many chances and I just sense all is not well in their camp. Cobresal will be boosted by their win last time out and I fancy them to follow it up here.
HEAD TO HEAD
Cobresal have only beaten Universidad Chile once in their last 14 attempts while this weekend’s visitors have won 11 times. La U won 4-1 in El Salvador in February the year.
