Colon vs Gimnasia
Colon were condemned to fight for their top-flight status in a playoff following a terrible performance last Saturday, when they were dominated from beginning to end and lost 3-1 away at Velez Sarsfield. After winning just two of their last eight matches in this competition (along with two stalemates and four defeats), the team ended the Copa Liga Profesional group stage on 20 points and will need to beat Gimnasia LP on Friday to avoid returning to the second division after getting promoted in December 2014.
Gimnasia LP ten-year spell at the first division is now in danger. Last Saturday, the team succumbed to a deserved 2-0 away loss to Banfield after a poor second half. That result extended their winless streak to four league games (drawing one and losing three in that time). Their poor campaign in the group stage (accumulating only 15 points in 14 rounds) led El Lobo to this relegation playoff following Union Santa Fe’s victory over Tigre last weekend.
This is the relegation playoff to decide who will play in 2nd division next season and I’ll go for the OVER on this short totals line. Colon will have attacking midfielder Damian Battalini back after a few games injured and he will be an important asset for their good attack (they’ve scored in 13 of their 15 games this semester) and while the game could have a slow start, one goal should really open things up.