Universidad Católica aim to hold second place and halt Everton’s rise in the league

Universidad Católica visit Everton on Saturday with second place at stake and a chance to slow the hosts’ push toward the top of Chile’s Primera League.

The match begins at 5:30 p.m. local time, or 9:30 p.m. GMT, at Sausalito Stadium in Viña del Mar. It brings together direct rivals in the upper part of the table during the 22nd round of the competition.

The Cruzados, coached by Daniel Garnero, sit second with 36 points. They are level with Universidad de Chile but hold the advantage on goal difference. Católica have won their last two games, against Coquimbo Unido and O’Higgins, and want to maintain that momentum as they try to stop leaders Colo Colo from pulling further clear.

Garnero has recovered Fernando Zuqui and Cristián Cuevas for the fixture. Only the Argentine is expected to return to the starting lineup. Católica’s formation is Vicente Bernedo; Sebastián Arancibia, Branco Ampuero, Agustín García Basso and Eugenio Mena; Jhojan Valencia, Jimmy Martínez and Fernando Zuqui; Clemente Montes, Diego Corral and Fernando Zampedri.