- Union Santa Fe have won two and drawn one of their last three games, including a 2-0 home win over Deportivo Riestra in Liga Profesional - Apertura 2026.
- Newell’s Old Boys have won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five fixtures.
Familiar foes face off in Santa Fe
Union Santa Fe and Newell’s Old Boys, separated by 15 places in the Liga Profesional - Apertura 2026 standings, will face off on Friday in what promises to be a fascinating matchup of styles. This Union Santa Fe vs Newell's Old Boys preview provides all the insight you need ahead of the clash.
The hosts currently sit 12th in the table, after collecting 19 points from 13 games, while the visitors are languishing in 27th spot with just 10 points.
It’s a surprise to see Union at such a lowly position given the solid structure they put in place under coach Leonardo Madelon, but Newell’s situation looks even more surprising given Frank Kudelka’s teams usually find a way to grind out results.
Newell’s new style yet to click
Kudelka has clearly been trying to implement a faster, more proactive style since taking the reins at Newell, encouraging them to press teams higher up the pitch and to attack with more intent.
The result has been a mixture of entertaining wins and frustrating draws, with Newell conceding an average of 2.33 goals per away match and scoring only 0.83 per away game, and they have struggled to keep a consistent defensive line when they’ve had to play away.
That could be a problem at Union Santa Fe, who will sit back in their 4-4-2 setup and allow Newell to come onto them, before hitting them on the counter-attack.
According to our Union Santa Fe vs Newell's Old Boys prediction, they also have the ability to cut off Newell’s attacks by pressing high up the field when they do win the ball back, so this has all the potential to be a chess match between two very different systems.
Union can edge a tight game
Union are the clear favorites for this game at 1.64, while Newell’s are listed as outsiders at 5.6.
The home side’s form is strong, while the away team has been poor when playing away from home in this campaign, which is why we believe the home team should have enough to squeeze out a win in this clash. The Union Santa Fe vs Newell's Old Boys prediction suggests that Union’s home advantage could prove decisive.
Union Santa Fe’s talisman is Cristian Alberto Tarragona, the veteran number nine who has scored 6 goals in 13 league games this term, including 3 in his last 5 appearances, so he should be on the scoresheet again.
A home victory with under 2.5 goals looks the way to go in this game, given Union have averaged 1.33 goals per league game on their own patch and Newell’s have only scored 0.83 per away match.
For those looking for guidance, our Union Santa Fe vs Newell's Old Boys betting tips recommend under 2.5 goals as the pick at 1.65.
Union have also been solid at the back at home, so under 2.5 goals is the pick at 1.65.
