Estudiantes vs Independiente
After producing a remarkable campaign last semester, Estudiantes kept their standards up in the Liga Profesional’s round one, when beating Sarmiento 3-0 away with young striker Francisco Apaolaza netting a brace. El Pincha, who remain occupying one of the Copa Libertadores spots, lost only one of their last eight league games, winning four and drawing three in regular time. At home, Ricardo Zielinski’s men have been unbeaten in the last four, with two wins and two stalemates without even conceding.
Independiente showed a poor version last Sunday, when they had to settle for a scoreless home draw against Argentinos Juniors’ alternative squad in a boring game. Julio Falcioni’s men are now on three league games without a win (two draws and one defeat in regular time), having not scored in the process. On away turf, El Rojo won only one of the last six in domestic action, having drawn two and lost three.
Estudiantes has been very solid lately and were arguably the best team of the first round, Independiente was eliminated from Copa Sudamericana after a midweek game at Brazil, so I have to go here with the more rested hosts.