Independiente vs River
Independiente showed their best version last Monday, when they played in good style to beat Colon 3-0 away under interim coach Juan Jose Serrizuela. Thanks to that success, El Rojo put an end to their six-game winless streak of one draw and five defeats. However, their campaign is still poor as El Rojo accumulated 11 points in as many rounds, out of the fight for the tickets to the continental competitions. At home, Independiente are on three games without a win, drawing one and losing two since beating Estudiantes 2-1 in round four. Coach Julio Cesar Falcioni will start his third spell at the club on Sunday.
River Plate are another of the big clubs who are experiencing irregular form. Last Sunday, they suffered an unexpected 2-1 home defeat to Sarmiento, which put an end to their three-match unbeaten streak of two victories and one draw in league action. Marcelo Gallardo’s men remain on 15 points in the Liga Profesional, which is a poor campaign: they are trailing leaders Atletico Tucuman by ten.
Big derby, Independiente comes from a good win that must have raised their morale and will face a very irregular River that they can definitely beat.