Estudiantes vs Banfield
Estudiantes returned to their irregularity last Sunday, when they showed a terrible performance and suffered a rough 3-1 away defeat at Boca Juniors. El Pincha remain on 11 points in ten matches in the Liga Profesional after losing five of their last seven league matches (along with a single victory and one draw in that time). As a result, the team are now out of the Copa Libertadores spots in the 2022 aggregate table. At home, Ricardo Zielinski’s men managed eight points from 15 on offer in this competition following two victories, two draws and one loss so far. Centre back Fabian Noguera succumbed to a knee injury and will remain sidelined for a month. Mauro Boselli will miss one more game.
Banfield had to settle for a heartbreaking 1-1 home draw against Argentinos Juniors last Monday, when they conceded the equaliser in the 101th minute. As a result, the team are now on four league games without a win, having drawn two and lost two since beating Boca Juniors 3-0 away in round six. El Taladro accumulated 13 points in the Liga Profesional and couldn’t climb into the continental spots in the aggregate table yet. On away turf, El Taladro secured seven of those points in four games, having won two, drawn one and lost one.
Estudiantes is going through a crisis and with their Copa Libertadores Quarterfinals in a few days, I can’t imagine they will be very focused on this match.