Independiente vs Racing Club
Independiente don’t seem to find the bottom of the well. Last time out, they succumbed to a 1-0 away defeat at Rosario Central following another disappointing performance. That result extended their winless run to ten league matches (six draws and four defeats), an unacceptable streak for one of the big five in Argentine football. As a result, El Rojo are now threatened by relegation as they are occupying 25th spot of the Liga Profesional table on nine points, just two above bottom-placed Union Santa Fe. To make matters worse, Independiente are the worst home team in the league, having taken only two points from 15 available this term. New coach Ricardo Zielinski will make his debut on Sunday.
Racing Club also are facing trouble. Last Wednesday, they had a rough night and ended up losing to Newell’s Old Boys’ alternative XI 1-0 at home. That result represented the second consecutive defeat in the league for Fernando Gago’s men, who dropped down to tenth spot of the Liga Profesional table, accumulating 17 points in 11 rounds and trailing leaders River Plate by ten so far. On away turf, Racing recorded two victories and three losses in domestic action this season. Gonzalo Piovi and Anibal Moreno are still doubtful for Sunday’s derby due to their respective injuries.
Huge derby, one of the biggest in the argentinean league, between two of the biggest clubs in the country, and even though Independiente are in a big crisis after their president resigned last week, this is the kind of games where players will give all they have to avoid a defeat plus the debut of a new coach should make things better for them. Racing has been nothing special either so I’ll go with the hosts not to lose.