Everton and Wanderers prepare for derby date

The ‘clasico porteño’ between Everton and Santiago Wanderers is the pick of the matches in the ninth round of the Chilean Clausura.

Independencia – The two sides go head to head on neutral ground at Unión Española´s Estadio Santa Laura on Sunday afternoon (5pm) and a fiery derby can be expected.

Hosts Everton are the team in greater need of the points as they battle to avoid relegation from the top flight. The Viña del Mar side go into the big clash against their Valparaíso neighbours in buoyant mood after their 3-1 win at Unión Española last week.

Bizarrely, it will be their third game in a row at Santa Laura as they lost 2-1 there to Universidad de Chile the previous week.

Everton´s experienced goalkeeper Gustavo Dalsasso said: “To win the clasico would give us a mental boost in achieving our aim of leaving the club in the Primera. A victory would leave us much calmer in terms of the threat of relegation.”

Round nine actually gets underway this evening with an attractive match between Universidad Católica and Iquique at San Carlos de Apoquindo (8pm). Third-placed Católica and fourth-placed Iquique are both on 16 points, six behind the pacesetters Colo Colo.

Católica lost 2-0 at O´Higgins last week and know they can´t afford to slip up again if they want to challenge for the title. Iquique, meanwhile, approach the game in confident mood after coming from 2-0 down to beat Antofagasta 3-2.

Católica will seek revenge for their play-off defeat at the hands of Iquique last term.

Colo Colo are in action on Friday night (7pm) and will be expected to see off Cobresal at Estadio Monumental.

After Universidad de Chile and Unión Española launch the Saturday programme at Santa Laura (4pm), there are two games at 6.30pm.

Huachipato host second-placed O´Higgins in a match where the teams need the points for differing reasons – Huachipato to avoid relegation and O´Higgins to keep the pressure on Colo Colo. Antofagasta entertain Unión La Calera at the same time.

The final Saturday match sees Audax Italiano take on Universidad de Concepción (9pm).

Aside from the ‘clasico porteño’, there are two other matches on Sunday. Cobreloa host fifth-placed Palestino (4pm) and Ñublense entertain Rangers (7.30pm).

Tags: Everton, Football, Santiago Wanderers