Racing vs Independiente
Racing Club returned to winning ways in league action last time out, when beating Newell’s Old Boys 1-0 away from home thanks to a strike from Roger Martinez in the first half. As a result, La Academia made it 20 points in the Liga Profesional, trailing leaders Huracan by three and holding onto one of the Copa Libertadores’ spots in the aggregate table after losing only one of the last four in this competition (two wins and one draw). That defeat was in their last home game in domestic action (to Gimnasia LP 1-0), which stopped a six-match unbeaten streak of five victories and one draw in the league at Estadio Presidente Peron. On Tuesday 20, Racing beat Chile’s Huachipato FC 6-1 at home in the return leg of the Copa Sudamericana round of 16, advancing to the quarter-finals. Striker Adrian Martinez returns from suspension on Sunday.
Independiente come to the city derby off a convincing 1-0 home success over Rosario Central thanks to Kevin Lomonaco’s goal in the first half. El Rojo made it three league matches unbeaten, winning two and drawing one without even conceding to accumulate 14 points in the Liga Profesional. As a result, they are now just two points behind the last Copa Sudamericana spot in the aggregate table. Independiente won 2-0 at Estudiantes in their last away commitment to stop a four-game winless streak of two draws and two losses as the visiting side. Winger Santiago Lopez returns from suspension on Sunday.
One of the most important games of the tournament for both as they have one of the biggest rivalries in argentinian football. Racing has the best attack in the league so far and they come from scoring 6 midweek in Sudamericana, Independiente are finally in good form with consecutive wins, so I expect that a goal will open things up here and I’ll go for the OVER.