Independiente Rivadavia vs Boca
Independiente Rivadavia couldn’t hold onto their lead and succumbed to a devastating 2-1 away defeat to Atletico Tucuman last Sunday. That result put an end to their three-match unbeaten streak of two victories and one draw without conceding. Even though they are producing a decent Liga Profesional campaign, with 14 points, La Lepra remain occupying the relegation spot in the point-average table, three points behind Deportivo Riestra. Martin Cicotello’s men are on two home victories in a row, having beaten Gimnasia LP and Independiente (both 1-0). However, they will host this one at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas. Centre back Tomas Palacios is suspended for Saturday after collecting his fifth yellow card in this competition.
Boca Juniors showed a deflated version last Sunday and had to settle for an unexpected 1-1 home stalemate against Barracas Central. Even though El Xeneize have been unbeaten in their last five league matches (winning two and drawing three), the team accumulated just 13 points in nine Liga Profesional rounds, which prevents them from fighting for the title and from approaching the Copa Libertadores’ spots in the aggregate table. In fact, Boca are without a win in their last three domestic matches on the road (two stalemates and one loss). Edinson Cavani, Cristian Medina, Kevin Zenon and Guillermo Fernandez are ready to return.
Important missings in defense for both teams: Palacios and Luciano Gomez on the home team, veterans Marcos Rojo and Lema for Boca, and while the visitors have been far from reliable lately they will have legendary striker Edinson Cavani back on the starting lineup together with playmakers Zenon and Medina, so I can definitely see at least 2 goals here.