Union Santa Fe — Defensa y Justicia : Match Preview and Prediction for October 22,2025

Union Santa Fe’s Current Form

Union Santa Fe enters this match in a distinctly unfavorable state. The team has failed to secure a victory in the Primera Division for four consecutive rounds. Their recent performance includes two defeats and two draws, clearly signaling a downturn in their form.

Home Performance Woes

Their home performance is particularly concerning. Union Santa Fe has been unable to win on their own turf for six matches. In their last home league fixture, they suffered a 0-2 defeat to Aldosivi, despite dominating possession with 65% of the ball. This statistic highlights a critical issue: their ball possession isn’t translating into tangible results. They created fewer dangerous opportunities (2 compared to their opponent’s 4), and their Expected Goals (xG) metric was notably lower (1.26 versus 1.96).

Attacking Concerns and Injury Report

A major concern is their diminished attacking prowess. Key striker Marcelo Estigarribia will miss his third consecutive start due to knee synovitis. Coach Leonardo Madelón is compelled to reshuffle his attacking line-up, bringing in Agustín Colaso for his first start of the current championship. Such last-minute adjustments rarely yield positive outcomes, particularly when facing a well-organized opponent.

Defensa y Justicia’s Strong Momentum

Defensa y Justicia, in stark contrast, finds themselves at the opposite end of the spectrum. The team currently holds second place in Group A, just two points shy of the leader, and a victory in this match would propel them to sole possession of first place. Their recent form, marked by three consecutive unbeaten matches including wins against Boca Juniors (2-1) and Argentinos Juniors (1-0), clearly underscores their ambitious objectives.

Squad Stability and Resilience

Unlike Union Santa Fe with its forced changes, Defensa y Justicia faces no significant squad disruptions. While they do have some absences, the team has already demonstrated its ability to cope effectively. For instance, defender Emanuel Aguilera, sidelined by injury, was a rotation player who had only started two matches this season. Defensa y Justicia has already secured a victory without him, indicating the depth and resilience of their squad.

Tactical Adaptability and Away Threat

Defensa y Justicia is a tactically adaptable team. In their winning fixture against Argentinos Juniors, they held only 35% possession, yet this did not deter them from securing all three points. This capacity to play without the ball and efficiently convert their opportunities makes them a formidable opponent in away matches, especially when facing a team struggling to create scoring chances.