Talleres vs Independiente
Talleres were one of the worst teams in the league in 2022, ending in 24th in the aggregate table, and also succumbed to a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Patronato in the Copa Argentina final afterwards. However, La T are unbeaten in their last three league games (two victories and one draw). At home, they also grabbed seven points from the last nine available. The club welcomes back striker Nahuel Bustos, who returns from Brazil’s Sao Paulo FC.
Independiente have a lot to improve after a disappointing season in 2022: they failed to qualify for both continental competitions, occupying 15th place in the aggregate table. In fact, El Rojo won only one of their last five league games, drawing two and losing two. On a positive note, they grabbed ten points from the last 15 on offer on the road. Coach Julio Falcioni left the club at the end of the season and Leandro Stillitano arrived to take over. There have been several transfer movements, with Rodrigo Rey (from Gimnasia LP), Mauricio Cuero (Banfield) and Luciano Gomez (Argentinos Juniors) as the most relevant signings while Alan Sonora (free agent), Lucas Romero (to Leon, Mexico) and Leandro Benegas (Colo Colo, Chile) left the club in a total of 14 departures.
Independiente looks also like a team that will need some time to adapt to so many changes and important players gone, so I like this odds on Talleres at home to start the season with a win.