Published on August 1st, 2014 | by John Lyons
0Moment of truth in Chilean Apertura
It’s only the third game, but this week’s Apertura matches could give an indication of who’s going to fight it out for the title.
Two of the four sides with maximum points, Universidad de Chile and Santiago Wanderers, meet in a mouthwatering clash at the Estadio Nacional tomorrow (3.30pm).
Martín Lasarte´s la U have looked like they mean business in their opening two matches, but Wanderers, now managed by ex-Palestino boss Emiliano Astorga, have also impressed.
Another tasty clash sees another of the 100 per cent teams, Huachipato, host champions Colo Colo, in fifth place, at the Estadio CAP on Sunday (3.30pm). This will be the first test for Héctor Tapia´s Colo Colo since the departure of José Pedro Fuenzalida to Boca Juniors.
The other team that have started with two wins, Unión Española, face a tricky test at promoted San Marcos de Arica tomorrow night (10pm).
The round gets underway with Unión La Calera v Antofagasta tonight (8pm).
Other matches tomorrow are Palestino v Ñublense (12.30pm), Universidad Católica v Cobreloa (6pm) and O´Higgins v Universidad de Concepción (8.30pm).
On Sunday, Iquique host Cobresal in the north (3.30pm), while Audax Italiano host a derby clash against Barnechea in Santiago (6pm).
It´s a bumper weekend of football as the Primera B also gets underway this weekend. One of the games to look out for is ambitious Everton, seeking an immediate return to the top-flight, against Coquimbo Unidó at the Elías Figueroa in Valparaíso on Sunday (noon).
The programme starts tomorrow with two matches – La Serena v San Luis (4pm) and Deportes Concepción v Curicó Unido (4pm).
There are three other matches on Sunday. Unión San Felipe v Deportes Copiapó (3.30pm), new boys Iberia v Santiago Morning (3.30pm) and Deportes Temuco v Lota Schwager (3.30pm).
Magallanes and Rangers sit out the first round.