Union Santa Fe vs Independiente del Valle Predictions

Thursday’s Copa Sudamericana action sees Argentines Union de Santa Fe doing battle with Ecuadorians Independiente del Valle. An open, exciting game is expected to be in order, with plenty of action at both ends of the pitch.

It’s a big night for hosts Union, as they make their first ever appearance in a continental competition. Under Leonardo Madelon, El Tate have been quite a consistent force in the Superliga Argentina in recent years and they’ll now be looking to transfer that over onto the big stage, with hopes high of a sustained continental run.

Currently 7th in the Argentine top flight, Union are once again at the right end of the table and are in good form, leaving confidence high coming into this match. Indeed, Union have lost just 1 of their last 5 games, winning 3 times in the process and having won their last 2 games at the Estadio 15 de Abril, their prospects look bright coming into this fixture.

Meanwhile, despite their small size, Independiente del Valle have plenty of continental pedigree. The Ecuadorians have became a regular fixture in both Libertadores and Sudamericana action and even made the final of the former back in 2016 and the target this year is once again another deep run in continental competition.

Independiente arrive in great form and are playing very well at the moment, so they don’t arrive in Santa Fe short of confidence. They’ve now won 4 of their last 5 games and are a side that typically goes all out to win every game they play, so we don’t expect them to bring a defensive game plan to Argentine soil on Thursday.

Ultimately, whilst continental first legs tend to be fairly dull and tight due to what’s at stake, this a match we see being far more interesting and it should be a good watch. Both teams are playing well at the moment and will be keen to get off to a good start.

All things considered, we see big value in backing the over 2.5 goal line and that’s exactly where our money is going. Union’s last 6 matches have all cleared said line and whilst they’re rightfully favourites to win the game on home soil, Independiente certainly pack a punch and have scored in their last 4 away games. As such, we do see the visitors notching on Thursday, but can envisage Union edging an open game by a 2-1 margin.