Newell’s vs Defensa y Justicia
Newell’s Old Boys lacked effectiveness last Monday and succumbed to an unlucky 1-0 away defeat to Velez Sarsfield after producing a worthy performance. Following that loss, La Lepra remain on three points after two Liga Profesional rounds while they failed to climb into the Copa Sudamericana zone in the aggregate table. In fact, Mauricio Larriera’s men lost three of their last four league matches (winning only once in that spell). At home, Newell’s lost only one of the last five (two victories and two draws).
Defensa y Justicia are yet to find their best version. Last Saturday, the team had to settle for a disappointing 1-1 home draw against Gimnasia LP under interim boss Pablo Quatrocchi (after Julio Vaccari’s resignation), which represented their first point in two Liga Profesional rounds. El Halcon remain occupying one of the Copa Sudamericana spots in the aggregate table despite being winless in the last three in league action (two draws and one loss in regular time). Defensa lost 3-1 at Huracan in their last away game, stopping a six-match unbeaten streak of three victories and three draws in domestic action as the visiting side.
Defensa y Justicia are far from their best version. They are still under an interim coach, they won’t have their best striker Nicolas Fernandez, as well as central defender Ramos Mingo. Newell’s can be strong at home, they will have back two important players like right back Mendez and striker Brian Aguirre, and I’m going to trust them here to get the 3 points.