Rosario Central vs Barracas Central
Rosario Central are almost out of the fight for a ticket to the Copa Liga Profesional playoffs following their 3-0 away defeat to Argentinos Juniors in round 11, when they played one of their worst games in 2024. El Canalla made it three losses across the last four league games (along with a single victory), which keeps them on 14 points in group A, trailing fourth-placed Talleres by five with three rounds to go. Central remain unbeaten in their last 32 home matches in domestic action, having won 18 and drawn 14 since losing to Banfield 1-0 in July 2022. Left back Agustin Sandez is suspended for Thursday after reaching the yellow-card limit. Carlos Quintana returns from his own ban.
Barracas Central keep their hope alive in the Copa Liga Profesional. Last time out, the team secured an important 1-0 home success over Huracan (at Lanus) thanks to a goal from striker Alexis Dominguez. As a result, El Guapo made it five victories and three draws across their last nine league games (along with a single defeat) to accumulate 19 points in group A, trailing fourth-placed Talleres just by goal difference. Barracas lost 2-0 at Gimnasia LP in their last away game after six matches unbeaten as the visiting side, winning two and drawing four in that spell. All regulars are at Alejandro Orfila’s disposal to visit Rosario Central on Thursday.
With 3 games left Rosario Central are 5 points behind the playoff zone so this is basically a must win game for them, but they’ve been far from reliable this year and they have the Copa Libertadores debut next week, so I can’t imagine them being 100% focused here. Barracas has been a very reliable team lately, but I don’t trust them given Rosario’s unbelievable undefeated record at home of 32 games, but I can expect an open game where the hosts have no chance but to win and should take risks sooner or later.