Independiente vs Godoy Cruz
Independiente continue to improve under coach Julio Vaccari. Last weekend, the team showed good skills to beat Lanus 2-0 away with Federico Mancuello and Gabriel Avalos scoring. Therefore, El Rojo extended their unbeaten streak to ten league games, winning four and drawing six to make it 25 points in the Liga Profesional, entering the Copa Sudamericana zone in the aggregate table for the first time this season. At home, Independiente haven’t lost any of the last eight, with three victories and five draws. Defender Marco Pellegrino and striker Diego Tarzia have been sanctioned due to disciplinary issues and won’t feature.
Godoy Cruz showed their best version last Sunday, when they played an enjoyable game to beat Newell’s Old Boys 2-0 at home with Gonzalo Abrego and Santino Andino scoring. El Tomba made it four league matches unbeaten, winning two and drawing two to accumulate 26 points in the Liga Profesional, which allows them to remain into the Copa Libertadores’ zone in the aggregate table. Godoy Cruz also took seven points from the last 12 available on the road as a product of two wins, one draw and one loss.
I’m still not very convinced by this Independiente despite their good run, because they’ve won only 2 of their last 6 games at home. Godoy Cruz has been finding some regularity as they fight for a Copa Libertadores 2025 spot and I don’t think the hosts should be such favorites here.