MX23RW : Thursday, May 20 21:05:08| >> :600:338255:338255:
May 12, 2021 at 11pm UK at Estadio Diego Armando Maradona
Argentinos JrsArgentinos Juniors
0-1
CatolicaUniversidad Catolica

Torren (15'), Gomez (78')
Hauche (28')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Zampedri (74')
Nunez (19'), Fuentes (51'), Silva (69'), Puch (78'), Zampedri (90+2')
Puch (80')

Preview: Argentinos Juniors vs. Universidad Catolica - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Copa Libertadores clash between Argentinos Juniors and Universidad Catolica, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Argentinos Juniors host Chilean side Universidad Catolica on Wednesday, with the home side currently boasting a 100% record in this season's Copa Libertadores.

The away side have only managed one win in their first three fixtures in Group F, having lost in the opening two rounds of the competition.


Match preview

Universidad Catolica's Fernando Zampedri celebrates scoring their second goal with Gaston Lezcano in October 2020© Reuters

Argentinos Juniors are on an excellent run of form and are unbeaten in their last 10 games in all competitions, with their most recent result being a 2-0 victory in the Liga Profesional Argentina.

Two quickfire goals within four minutes of each other from Fausto Vera and Emmanuel Herrera just before half time were enough to give the Juniors three points against second-placed Estudiantes.

That result saw Gabriel Milito's side move onto 19 points for the season and they currently sit seventh in their league, six points behind the leaders Colon.

In gameweek three of the Copa Libertadores, Argentinos Juniors secured another 2-0 victory against second-placed Atletico Nacional after a brace from striker Gabriel Avalos, who has now scored three of the six goals his side have scored in Group F.

Goalkeeper Lucas Chavez has not seen a goal against him in this year's tournament and with their visitors on Wednesday registering two blanks in three games, he will be confident of securing a fourth clean sheet.

Universidad Catolica have made a decent start to their Chilean Primera Division as they currently sit third after six games of the season, and should they finish in third come the end of the season, that would put them into the qualification rounds for next season's Copa Libertadores.

Last time out, Gus Poyet's side claimed a convincing 3-0 win in the league against Union La Calera, as an early opener from Valber Huerta and then a brace from Diego Valencia sealed the three points at the Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo.

Another three goals in the game before that one provided the Chilean side with their first win in this season's Copa Libertadores, as they condemned Nacional to their second defeat in the competition.

The first fixture between these two sides came in gameweek two of the Copa Libertadores when Argentinos Juniors came away with a 2-0 victory over Universidad Catolica, the goals coming from Cesar Florentin and Gabriel Hauche that day.

Argentinos Juniors Copa Libertadores form:
  • W
  • W
  • W

Argentinos Juniors form (all competitions):
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Universidad Catolica Copa Libertadores form:
  • L
  • L
  • W

Universidad Catolica form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • W



Team News

Argentinos Juniors will be without long-term absentee Matias Caruzzo, who is suffering from a knee injury and has not featured for his side since November last year.

Other than Caruzzo's injury, there are no new team selection difficulties for Milito, who is expected to name Avalos to lead the line for the home side after his double in the last gameweek of the Copa Libertadores.

Universidad Catolica are likely to go with a similar side to the one that beat Nacional in round three of the group stage fixtures with Fernando Zampedri looking to build upon his goal in that game.

The other two goals for Catolica against Nacional came from substitutes that were brought on, so Valencia and Clemente Montes may have earned their place in Poyet's side.

Argentinos Juniors possible starting lineup:
Chavez; Quintana, Torren, Allister; Elias Gomez, Moyano, Jonathan Gomez, Sandoval; Florentin; Hauche, Avalos

Universidad Catolica possible starting lineup:
Dituro; Cornejo, Huerta, Fuentes, Rebolledo; Leiva, Saavedra, Nunez; Puch, Zampedri, Valencia


SM words green background

We say: Argentinos Juniors 2-1 Universidad Catolica

Argentinos Juniors have proven in the first half of fixtures in the Copa Libertadores that they are strong favourites to win Group F and they will want to achieve that as soon as possible so that they can also concentrate on the league.

Universidad will take confidence from scoring three against Nacional which may help them find the back of the net on Wednesday but they may not be strong enough defensively to stop the in-form Avalos.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


ID:446795:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9722:

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How you voted: Argentinos Jrs vs Catolica

Argentinos Juniors
75.0%
Draw
12.5%
Universidad Catolica
12.5%
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