The steel box will attempt to close the first wheel as the winter champion, a move that could upset the Italians in Florida but may also redefine the midway standings for both sides. In the larger frame of the season, a pivotal clash looms between the Italian Audax and Huachipato, set to unfold this Friday in a match that marks the fifteenth round of the 2023 National Championship and the finish of the opening segment of the competition.
The Italian-led squad, under the guidance of Luca Marcogiuseppe, arrives at this critical moment buoyed by a 1-2 victory over Magallanes in San Bernardo. That win not only lifted them from the deeper rungs of the table but also injected a sense of relief as they seek to consolidate position on the ladder, currently sitting with 16 points and aiming for a steadier path moving forward.
Across the field, the Usina team, steered by Gustavo Álvarez, enters the fixture with confidence after clinching two straight wins. They closed the most recent round by defeating Ñublense in Talcahuano, a result that helped them seize the lead and set the pace in a closely contested race. Their archrival, Cobresal, remains a constant challenger at the top, and the gap between the leaders and their nearest pursuer Universidad de Chile narrows to a single point, with the standings showing 28 points for the top team and 27 for the chase pack. One caveat remains for Usina: a match still to be played due to a suspension against the Academy, which could further tilt the balance as the winter title remains a live target for them.
Historically, the two clubs share a long and storied rivalry, having accumulated 79 First Division campaigns together and a total of 23 Audi wins in 103 attempts, alongside 27 steel victories with 107 goals scored, and 29 draws. Their most recent meeting slipped to a 1–1 draw, featuring goals from Fernando Cornejo and Cris Martínez on July 9, a reminder that this fixture often delivers tight and dramatic moments that can decide the tone of the season for both sides.
Fans can watch the upcoming match live on TNT Sports HD and TNT 2, with streaming options available through TNT Sports Stadium. For subscribers of TNTHD or TNT2, the game is accessible on platforms such as Movistar Play, Entel TV, DirecTV GO, Claro Video, VTR Play, and Zapping, depending on regional availability. The broadcast plans reflect a growing trend toward multi-platform access, making it easier for followers across Canada and the United States to catch the action as it unfolds on a Friday night, with a focus on clarity and reliability as teams vie for early momentum in the season’s second phase.