Preview: Union vs. River Plate - prediction, team news, lineups

Los Millonarios, on the other hand, failed to win their opening three outings for the first time since 2018 and will be looking to end this poor run.

Match preview

Union got the Primera Division campaign up and running last Wednesday when they claimed a 2-1 victory over Barracas Central at the Estadio Islas Malvinas.

In an action-packed contest, Jonathan Alvez and Emanuel Britez scored first-half goals to put the visitors in a comfortable lead before Fernando Valenzuela pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 69th minute.

Prior to that, Gustavo Munua's men suffered a 2-1 defeat against Tigre in their season opener on June 5 before playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Colon de Santa one week later.

While Union will look to make it two wins from two for the first time since April, they have struggled to get going on home turf, where they have lost three and drawn one of their last five games.

Elsewhere, River Plate failed to find their feet in the Primera Division as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Colon de Santa last Wednesday.

Despite seeing just 33% of the ball possession and being on the back foot for most of the game, former Boca Juniors man Ramon Abila scored against the run of play in the 72nd minute to hand the hosts all three points.

River Plate have now failed to win any of their opening three games in the league after playing out goalless draws against Defensa y Justicia and Atletico Tucuman in their first two outings.

This poor start has been owing to their toothless display at the attacking end of the pitch as Marcelo Gallardo's side have now failed to score in three straight games for the first time since August 2018, when they went four matches without finding the target.

However, Los Millonarios will fancy their chances of ending this drip spell as they go up against an opposing side who they are unbeaten against in eight of the last 10 meetings between the sides, claiming five wins and three draws in that time.

Union Argentine Primera Division form:

Union form (all competitions):

River Plate Argentine Primera Division form:

River Plate form (all competitions):

Team News

Union will take to the pitch without the services of Argentine defender Brian Blasi, who has been sidelined since last April through a muscle problem.

He is joined on the club's injury table by the duo of Juan Nardoni and Diego Polenta, who both missed the trip to Barracas Central on Wednesday.

With his strike in the aforementioned game, Alves has now scored in four successive games and the Uruguayan forward will certainly be one to keep an eye on.

As for River Plate, Gallardo will be unable to call upon Colombian midfielder Juan Quintero, who has been out of action since last April through a hamstring problem.

Veteran defender Milton Casco is also out of contention for the visitors as the 34-year-old is set to sit out his fourth straight game through a calf issue.

Other names on the club's injury table include Matias Suarez (muscle), Robert Rojas (leg), Franco Paredes (ACL) and Felipe Pena Biafore, who is yet to make an appearance for River Plate this year.

Union possible starting lineup:

Mele; Britez, Calderon, Polenta, Corvalan; Roldan, Nardoni; Vera, Diale, Zenon; Alvez

River Plate possible starting lineup:

Armani; Herrera, Maidana, Gonzalez, Gomez; Perez, Fernandez, Palavecino; Barco, Simon, Alvarez

We say: Union 1-1 River Plate

Looking at past results between the sides, we anticipate a thrilling contest with plenty of goalmouth action. While Union will be looking to build on Wednesday's victory, we predict the visitors will do just enough to force a share of the spoils.

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