Belgrano vs Boca Juniors
Thanks to a superb performance from goalkeeper Nahuel Losada, Belgrano were able to rescue an important point on their visit to arch-rivals Talleres last time out, drawing 0-0. El Pirata extended their unbeaten run to eight league matches (two victories and six stalemates) and accumulated 11 points in seven rounds in the Copa Liga Profesional to stay into the playoff zone in group B. Furthermore, they remain a single point behind the last Copa Sudamericana berth in the aggregate table. Belgrano also are on four matches unbeaten at home, winning two and drawing two since losing to San Lorenzo 1-0 in July.
Boca Juniors couldn’t handle coach Jorge Almiron’s decision to field an alternative XI and ended up losing 2-0 at home against River Plate in the Superclasico. That result means El Xeneize suffered four defeats across their last six matches in the Copa Liga Profesional (one fin and one draw), which leaves them on seven points in as many matches and keep them out of the Copa Libertadores’ places in the aggregate table, trailing fourth-placed Defensa y Justicia by two. On away turf, Boca managed three points from nine on offer as a product of one victory and two defeats in this competition. On Thursday 5, Boca will visit won on penalties following a 1-1 away draw at SE Palmeiras in the return leg of the Copa Libertadores’ semi-finals, advancing to the final. Luis Advincula and Frank Fabra are involved in international duties while Guillermo Fernandez, Edinson Cavani and Jorge Figal will rest.
Too many important players will rest for Boca, their minds will be in the Copa Libertadores final for the next weeks, so I like Belgrano’s chances here.