Union La Calera vs Chapecoense Predictions

Tuesday’s Copa Sudamericana first round, first leg action sees Chileans Union La Calera going up against Brazilians Chapecoense. It’s the visitors who arrive the favourites on the night and to advance from the tie overall.

In what is their first ever match in a continental competition, it should be a happy night for all concerned with Union La Calera, but that is far from the case. A decision to change the club’s historic crest has enraged supporters to the point in which they’ve dogged the build-up to the match with threats of forcing its suspension and it’s fair to say there is not a good feeling around the club at the moment.

On the pitch, a return to competitive action can hardly be relished either, considering the terrible manner in which Los Rojos finished 2018. Indeed, Francisco Meneghini’s troops were in the running for a Copa Libertadores place at one point, but an awful run of 8 defeats from 9 ended said hopes and means the side come into 2019 with very little momentum behind them.

Meanwhile, Chapecoense make the trip in far higher spirits, having avoided relegation to Serie B against the odds once again, securing a return the Copa Sudamericana in the process. Involvement in the competition is sure to spark emotions in Chape ranks, having last participated in 2016, in which they were crowned joint-winners after the tragic plane crash that saw the majority of the squad perish en route to play the final with Atletico Nacional.

After back to back Copa Libertadores appearances over the last couple of years, the current crop of Chape players can call upon plenty of continental experience and arrive in good shape for the match. Now unbeaten in 9 competitive matches over the backend of last season and the start of this year, the side are playing some good football and will be hoping to translate that into Tuesday’s game.

Ultimately, it looks a big ask for Union La Calera’s players to raise their performance levels in what is likely to be a very toxic atmosphere. The hosts have been below par for a number of months now and the disrupted build-up to the match has served as less than ideal preparation for them.

As such, we see good value in backing an away win here and are more than happy to get behind Chapecoense establishing an advantage. Away wins are a rarity in South American continental competition, but Chape have the better squad on paper and more momentum behind them and we think they’ll run out 1-0 winners as a result.