Defensa y Justicia – Newell’s

Despite coach Julio Vaccari rotating most of his regulars, Defensa y Justicia secured a massive 2-0 away success at San Lorenzo in round 13 to keep their hope alive. Thanks to goals from Ezequiel Cannavo and Nicolas Fernandez, El Halcon made it five league matches unbeaten (three victories and two draws) to accumulate 23 points in the Copa Liga Profesional, staying in fourth spot of the group B table, which means they will advance to the playoffs in the event of beating Newell’s Old Boys here. Defensa won their last two at home in domestic action, beating Union Santa Fe and Estudiantes. On Wednesday 10, they drew 1-1 at home against Bolivia’s Always Ready in a Copa Sudamericana group match.

Newell’s Old Boys took a big step back on their fight to advance to the Copa Liga Profesional playoffs last time out, when they were dominated by Boca Juniors and ended up losing 3-1 at home in a six-pointer. That result put an end to La Lepra’s five-match unbeaten streak of two victories and three draws in this competition and also displaced them from the top four in group B, accumulating 21 points and trailing fourth-placed by two, which forces them to beat their opponents here. Newell’s have been strong on the road this term, having won four, drawn one and lost one so far.

Defensa could advance to the playoffs with a draw but they will very likely need a win because if they don’t get the 3 points and either Racing or Boca win, they will be out. Newell’s still has also a remote chance of going to the playoffs, they need to win and wait for other results, so I expect this to be an open game as a draw could end up being useless for both.

BET: OVER 2 @ 1.85