Universidad de Chile seeks to dispel doubts against Coquimbo Unido's push for a cup place

Universidad de Chile will try to put its recent setbacks behind it when Coquimbo Unido visits the National Stadium on Saturday night, with both teams carrying clear ambitions into the match.

The blue side enters the 22nd round in third place with 36 points. It trails leader Colo Colo by 16 points and sits level with Universidad Católica, behind only on goal difference. A victory is therefore essential if the team wants to maintain pressure in the fight for a direct place in the Copa Libertadores group stage.

Fernando Gago's team has lost its last two matches, falling to Colo Colo in the Superclásico and then to Universidad de Concepción. Those results have raised doubts around a side that had been showing stronger form before the defeats.

Playing at home, Universidad de Chile will seek a win in front of its supporters to redeem itself, settle those doubts and recover the positive feeling that had surrounded the team. Coquimbo Unido, meanwhile, will arrive looking for points that could move it into contention for the continental cup places.

The announced Universidad de Chile lineup is Gabriel Castellón; Fabián Hormazábal, Matías Zaldivia, Nicolás Ramírez and Marcelo Morales; and Israel Poblete.