Union Santa Fe vs Velez Prediction: Will Velez maintain their 1st place for another round?

In the upcoming fixture of Primera Division Argentina, Platense will face Union Santa Fe at Stadium 15 de Abril in Santa Fe. The home side head here after a loss (1-0) against Platense. The visitors come into this game after a win (1-0) against Sarmiento Junin.

Betting tips and odds are provided below.

Union Santa Fe come into this round after a loss in the last match. Platense won 1-0 away to Unión Santa Fé in a balanced match that was decided in the second half. In the first half the statistics were very close, possession (55%) went to Unión Santa Fé and the number of goal attempts (5-2) went both ways. But Unión Santa Fé and Platense couldn't finish, one got two shots on target and the other none. There were lots of fouls and stoppages to the game and it was very defensive, both teams were very defensive. Neither team threatened to break down the other and neither could find a way past their opponents' defenses in the first half, with half time arriving without a clear cut opportunity. The scenario became more dynamic for the second half. Unión Santa Fé, meanwhile, had the ball for more possession (53%) and created more goal attempts (3 to Platense's 5). But Platense took full advantage in the 81st minute when Mauro Pellegrino scored a penalty to give them the lead. From there on Unión Santa Fé tried to push but Platense's defense was solid, limiting their opponent to just one shot on target in the whole second half. Overall though, Platense achieved a big result given they had less possession (49%), less attempts on goal (7 vs 8). Securing the three points was down to defensive efficiency and the use of the penalty. Unión Santa Fé were in control of parts of the game but lacked finishing and didn't find the back of the net. With this result, Union Santa Fe is in 11th place in the table with 36 points. In the last 5 league games, the team has recorded 1 win and 4 losses, with a record of 26 goals scored and 26 goals conceded.

Velez Sarsfield comes into this game after a 1-0 win against Sarmiento Junin. The first half match was decided on a penalty converted by Aquino C. inside the 41st minute. Sarmiento, however, were second best in the first half, who could only muster 12 attempts on goal compared to the home team’s 60% of the possession and 12 attempts on goal. The score did not increase in the first half, despite outnumbering the hosts by a numerical advantage in shots and opportunities created. Sarmiento, who was trying to balance the match, continued to have trouble creating clear chances, registering four attempts on goal. Velez meanwhile continued its offensive superiority, making 11 shots on goal and five on goal. Neither team was able to change the score in the second half. In the game statistics, Velez Sarsfield held the upper hand by controlling 63% of possession, 23 shots in total of which nine were on target, and Sarmiento hitting on a total of five of which two on target. The goalkeeper did make eight saves in the visiting team's solid defensive performance. Velez's superiority throughout 90 minutes was the result, but also Sarmiento's defensive resilience, as the score wasn't added to. With this result, Velez Sarsfield is in 1st place in the table with 48 points. In the last 5 league games, the team has recorded 2 wins and 3 draws, with a record of 36 goals scored and 15 goals conceded.

In the last 5 games between these 2 teams, Union Santa Fe has won 1, Velez Sarsfield has won 3, and they drew another. Goals were scored in 4 of those games, with both teams scoring in 2 of the matches.

I think that Velez are favorites for the win, despite playing away.