Preview: Union vs. Lanus - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts have the chance to climb into 11th place with a victory, meanwhile the visitors shall be aiming to put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone.

Match preview

Union have started the second phase of the Argentine Primera Division in mixed form, with two victories and defeats, as well as a single loss in their opening five matches.

Combined with what they achieved earlier on in the campaign and the club currently finds itself 13th in the table, being in a strong position to kick on and climb further.

A victory on Sunday could see them climb up two places depending on other results, but they will need to improve their performance from the previous outing against Nacional.

Union were defeated 2-0 in that Copa Sudamericana fixture, conceding a couple of goals in the opening 25 minutes without providing a response for the remainder of the game.

Despite that, Christian Alvarez will be hoping his team takes confidence from their previous league match where they fought until the last minute to gain a 2-1 victory against Boca Juniors due to a late Franco Troyansky penalty.

The visitors have only managed one victory so far in the second phase of the competition, and overall they have struggled throughout the campaign.

Lanus currently sit 19th in the league table with just four victories in their opening 19 fixtures, which is something that has led to them being under pressure at this stage.

There is just two points separating them and the relegation zone right now, which is pushing Jorge Almiron's team to provide stronger performances towards the end of the season.

Much like their opponents on Sunday, Lanus were defeated in the Copa Sudamericana against Independiente del Valle, despite the fact that Tomas Belmonte had equalised for his team in the 60th minute.

They were unable to hang on in that match, conceding in the 93rd minute in order to suffer their second loss in a row, which is something the team will be hoping to put right this weekend.

Union Argentine Primera Division form:

Union form (all competitions):

Lanus Argentine Primera Division form:

Lanus form (all competitions):

Team News

Despite the fact he got on the scoreline in Union's most recent league encounter Troyansky will not be available on Sunday after he was sent off in the final minute of that game.

Ezequiel Canete is someone that is likely to start this encounter upfront, with Matias Gallegos being an option to partner him in order to provide some attacking threats.

For the visitors, they will come to the game without Alexandro Bernabei as the left-back has recently signed for Celtic, with his future being in Scotland.

Lanus will be having to make another change at the back on Sunday as well with Matias Perez no longer being an option after he was sent off in their most recent league encounter.

The central defender was not the only player to be sent for an early shower in that match either, as Brian Aguilar saw received two yellow cards.

Union possible starting lineup:

Moyano; Gerometta, Aguero, Britez, Esquivel; Jaurez, Portillo, Nardoni, Machuca; Canete, Gallegos

Lanus possible starting lineup:

Monetti; Di Placido, Cabral, Braghieri, Pasquini; Acosta, Loaiza, Belmonte, Aguirre; Sand, Varaldo

We say: Union 2-1 Lanus

Both teams head into this match with a defeat in their most recent outing, providing them with plenty of desire in order to get back to winning ways with immediate effect.

Union have shown their qualities throughout the season and even though Lanus are in desperate need of points in order to push away from the relegation zone, the hosts should have enough to win this one.

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