Audax Italiano Santiago (home)
- Audax Italiano Santiago, who sit 11th in the Primera Division 2026 with 1 point after a draw on opening day, face C.D. Universidad de Concepcion in Santiago on Friday in an early-season matchup that will tell us a lot about both teams’ ambitions and their evolution since last season.
- Under new manager Gustavo Lema, who took over in November 2025, Audax have become a team with a very fluid identity, capable of locking down possession and playing a patient game or hitting opponents on the counter with a rapid tempo.
- Since Lema's arrival, the Santiago outfit have won 3 and drawn 2 of their last 5 in all competitions, including a pair of 0-0 draws against Universidad de Chile in their two most recent games.
- Eduardo Vargas, who has been the star man for the hosts, has scored 2 of their last 3 goals and should be the main threat up front for Audax.
C.D. Universidad de Concepcion (away)
- The visitors, who are 4th in the Primera Division 2026 after their opening 3 points, have won 4 of their last 5 in all competitions, a run that includes a 1-0 win at home to Coquimbo Unido in their opening league outing.
- New boss Juan Cruz Real has made an immediate impact at Universidad de Concepcion, instilling a high-intensity, pressing style of soccer since taking over in January 2026.
Key Players
- Eduardo Vargas
- Has scored 2 of Audax’s last 3 goals.
- Luis Rojas
- Scored in UdeC’s Primera Division opener and has 3 in his last 5 games.
- Antonio Diaz
- Was the main creative outlet in the opening game, with 1 assist to his name.
Betting Insights
- The hosts are 2.25 favorites in the match result market, with UdeC at 3.1 and the draw also at 3.1.
- Market pick: Both Teams To Score at 1.85.
Prediction
Universidad de Concepcion’s hot form and Audax Italiano Santiago’s adaptability under Lema should lead to an open, exciting matchup in which both teams can score .
