Rosario Central vs Lanus
Rosario Central were still able to claim all three points at Deportivo Riestra last time out, winning 2-0 despite coach Miguel Russo’s decision to field an alternative XI. El Canalla took a breather in the context of a difficult season, stopping a six-match winless streak of two stalemates and four defeats in league action and also making it four points in three Liga Profesional rounds. At home, Central remain without a win in their last three domestic games, taking two points from nine on offer in that spell. On Tuesday 27, Central lost 2-1 away at Uruguay’s Penarol in a Copa Libertadores group game. Captain Carlos Quintana succumbed to a muscle problem and will miss out. Left back Agustin Sandez remains out injured.
Lanus showed their best skills last time out and secured a massive victory at their own stadium, beating defending champions Estudiantes 2-1 thanks to a goal from Walter Bou in the 84th minute. Following that success, El Granate made it four points in the Liga Profesional to stop a five-game winless streak of two draws and three defeats in league action, also entering the Copa Sudamericana zone in the aggregate table. Lanus lost only one of their last six as the visiting side in domestic action, winning four and drawing one. On Wednesday 29, Lanus lost 1-0 at home to Brazil’s Cuiaba EC in a Copa Sudamericana group game. Striker Walter Bou is suspended for Sunday after seeing a red card against Estudiantes.
Rosario Central was eliminated from Copa Libertadores midweek and they saw that their lack of a good attack was a problem so they signed two strikers who are available today: Enzo Copetti, ex Racing, and Marco Ruben, a big club legend that returns after two years. Lanus without their best striker and top scorer Walter Bou who is suspended, so even though Rosario has been too irregular this year, they should be improved in attack and I’ll trust them here.