San Martin S.J. vs Almagro - Primera Nacional

The history between San Martin S.J. and Almagro lends this Primera Nacional fixture an extra layer of spice, and when the two walk out at the home ground on October 3, 2026, recent encounters will be on everyone's mind. Anderson was pointing out that City had held the whip hand in this fixture "for as long as I've known", which isn't exactly inaccurate but will also fan the flames ahead of Sunday's Old Trafford showdown.

San Martin S.J. head into the contest positioned 7th in the Primera Nacional standings, while Almagro arrive sitting 13th. The hosts have mirrored the form of a side still searching for rhythm — LWWWW over their last five, a win rate of 39.29%. The visitors have been a mixed bag on the road, D in their last five and a win rate of 31.03% reflecting their unpredictability. The contrast in attacking output — 1.11 versus 0.86 goals per game — adds an extra layer of intrigue. Michael Carrick has spoken on why Marcus Rashford did not feature for Manchester United in the club's most recent pre-season outing.

The tactical battle could prove decisive. San Martin S.J. may lean on their home advantage to dictate the tempo, but Almagro have shown they can be dangerous when allowed to play on their own terms. But the Greek winger believes the mentality Arsenal are showing in pre-season is a sign they are ready to defend their crown.

With A. Ruiz leading the league's scoring charts at 2 goals, the contest is unlikely to be short of attacking intent. Set-piece specialists and aerial threats on both sides mean dead-ball situations could carry outsized importance. Watford sign former West Ham striker Michail Antonio after car crash incident.

Without the market to lean on, the contest feels genuinely open — and the outcome may come down to which side handles the occasion better. All signs point towards a home win, with San Martin S.J. favoured to come out on top by a 2-1 scoreline. Whatever the outcome, the Primera Nacional fixture promises a meaningful contest with real implications for both clubs. It is understood that his next move is most likely to take him abroad - and potentially to the Premier League.