Preview: Union vs. River Plate – Prognosis, Team News, Lineups

Fresh off the back of the first win of the season, union welcome Riverbed on Sunday in round four of the Primera Division to the Estadio 15 de Abril.

The Millonarios, on the other hand, failed to win their first three games for the first time since 2018 and will look to end this poor run.

game preview

©Reuters

Union got the La Liga season underway last Wednesday when they celebrated a 2-1 win over Barracas Central at the Estadio Islas Malvinas.

In an action-packed competition Jonathan Alves and Emmanuel Britez scored goals in the first half to give the visitors the lead beforehand Fernando Valenciala pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 69th minute.

Before, Gustav MunuaThe Madrid men suffered a 2-1 defeat by Tigre in the season opener on 5 June before a thrilling 2-2 draw at Colon de Santa a week later.

While Union will be looking for two wins out of 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.

©Reuters

Elsewhere, River Plate failed to make their mark in La Liga as they lost 1-0 to Colon de Santa last Wednesday.

Despite only seeing 33% of possession and being on the backfoot for most of the game, the former Boca Juniors man was Ramon Abila scored against the flow of play in the 72nd minute, giving the hosts all three points.

River Plate are now without a win in their first three games in the league, having drawn the first two games goalless against Defensa y Justicia and Atletico Tucuman.

That poor start was thanks to their toothless display at the attacking end of the field Marcello GallardoThe side have now gone three straight games without scoring for the first time since August 2018 when they went four games without scoring.

However, the Los Millonarios will assess their chances of ending that dripping phase when they face an opposing side they are unbeaten against in eight of their last 10 inter-team encounters, recording five wins and three draws in that span.

Form of Union Argentine Primera Division:

Association form (all competitions):

Form of River Plate’s Argentine Primera Division:

River Plate Form (all competitions):

Team News

©Reuters

Union will go on the pitch without the services of the Argentine defender Brian Blasiwho has been on a break since last April due to a muscle problem.

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

With his goal in the aforementioned game, Alves has now scored in four straight games and the Uruguayan striker will certainly be one to watch.

As for River Plate, Gallardo won’t be able to fall back on the Colombian midfielder Juan Quinterowho has been out of action since last April with a hamstring injury.

Experienced defender Milton Casco is also out of contention for the visitors as the 34-year-old will sit out his fourth straight game with a calf problem.

Other names on the club’s injury table are Matthew Suarez (Muscle), Robert Rojas (Leg), Franco Paredes (ACL) and Felipe Pena Biaforewho still has to play for River Plate this year.

Union possible starting line-up:
mele; Britez, Calderón, Polenta, Corvalan; Roldan, Nardoni; Vera, Diale, Zeno; Alves

River Plate possible starting line-up:
Armani; Herrera, Maidana, González, Gomez; Perez, Fernández, Palavecino; Barco, Simon, Alvarez

We say: Union – River Plate 1:1

Looking at the results between the teams so far, we expect an exciting competition with lots of goal-scoring action. While Union will look to build on Wednesday’s win, we expect the visitors will do just enough to force some of the spoils.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, goal scores and more for this game, please click here.

Email previews