Estudiantes vs Belgrano
Estudiantes wrapped up their 2023 Copa Liga Profesional campaign with a 1-1 draw against Lanus at home to end up into seventh spot of the aggregate table (despite having been unbeaten in the last five league games, winning three and drawing two). However, they secured a spot in the Copa Libertadores on December 13th, when lifting the Copa Argentina title by beating Defensa y Justicia 1-0 at Lanus. At home, Estudiantes managed seven points from the last nine on offer. Coach Eduardo Dominguez will miss Mariano Andujar, Mauro Boselli (both retired), Benjamin Rolheiser (sold to SL Benfica, Portugal), Leonardo Godoy (Athletico Paranaense, Brazil) and Jorge Rodriguez (Monterrey, Mexico). Meanwhile, Enzo Perez (returning from River Plate) and Javier Correa (Santos Laguna, Mexico) are the most relevant signings. Estudiantes won their only friendly this summer and won 3-0 in the 2024 Copa Argentina first round on Thursday 25 against third-tier side Argentino Monte Maiz.
Belgrano produced an excellent campaign on their return to the top flight, qualifying for the Copa Sudamericana via the aggregate table. However, they won only one of their last six league games, drawing one and losing four (including a 2-1 loss to River Plate in the quarter-finals). In fact, El Pirata are on three consecutive losses on away turf. The club bought Francisco Gonzalez Metilli from Argentinos Juniors and Matias Suarez returned from River Plate.
Estudiantes lost some experienced players but has good attacking players like Perez and Correa back, Belgrano not only didn’t lose any important players but they got club legend playmaker Matias Suarez so I expect these two teams to be able to score and I’ll go for the OVER.