Newells Old Boys vs Union Santa Fe Prediction

Right then, let's have a proper look at this one. Newells Old Boys are having an absolute shocker of a season, aren't they? Sitting 14th in the table with just 11 points from 13 games - that's proper bottom-half stuff. Their recent form is enough to make any fan weep: 1 win, 3 draws, and 6 losses in their last 10 matches. They're leaking goals like there's no tomorrow, conceding two per game on average, while barely managing to score 0.8 themselves.

Just look at their recent results - hammered 5-0 by Boca Juniors, stuffed 3-0 by Belgrano Cordoba, and losing 3-1 to Argentinos JRS. They've managed just one clean sheet in 10 games, which is frankly embarrassing stuff. Even at home, they're only winning 20% of their matches.

Now Union Santa Fe, that's a different kettle of fish entirely. They're sitting pretty in 4th place with 20 points, and their form is much more respectable with 4 wins, 4 draws, and only 2 losses in their last 10. They're scoring for fun at 1.7 goals per game and keeping things relatively tight at the back. Their away form is particularly tasty - winning 60% of their matches on the road and scoring 2.2 goals per game away from home.

Recent results show Union can mix it with the big boys, putting 4 past Instituto Cordoba and 3 past both Racing Club and Defensa Y Justicia. They've kept 4 clean sheets in their last 10, which is proper decent.

Head-to-head, it's been pretty even over the years, but form tells a different story. Newells haven't beaten Union at home in their last 4 meetings, and given the current state of both teams, I can't see that changing anytime soon.

The stats don't lie here - Union are flying while Newells are sinking. Union are scoring goals for fun away from home, while Newells can't stop conceding. Sometimes the simplest bet is the best one.

Key Points:

• Newells have won just 1 of their last 10 games (10% win rate)

• Union have won 4 of their last 10 games (40% win rate)

• Newells are conceding 2.0 goals per game, Union just 1.1

• Union have won 60% of their away games this season

• Newells have managed only 1 clean sheet in 10 matches

• Union have kept 4 clean sheets in their last 10 games

• Union scored 4 goals away to Instituto Cordoba in their last away match

Union Santa Fe look like proper value here. They're in form, scoring goals, and keeping things tight at the back. Newells are struggling badly and can't stop conceding goals. The away win at 2.50 looks like the smart money to me.