River vs Arsenal
It’s a rough start for the defending champions in the Copa Liga Profesional. Last time out, River Plate played clearly below expectations and ended up losing 2-0 away at relegation candidates Velez Sarsfield. That result left them on three points in as many matches in group A as a product of a single victory and two losses in this competition. On a positive note, River hold an excellent run at their own stadium: they won the last 12 matches in domestic action as the hosting side. Rodrigo Aliendro and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez are still regaining fitness after recovering from their respective injuries. On the other hand, Paulo Diaz recovered from a knee problem and is available. Paulo Diaz, Ignacio Fernandez, Esequiel Barco and Manuel Lanzini would replace Emanuel Mammana, Pablo Solari, Facundo Colidio and Agustin Palavecino.
Sarandi Arsenal are running out of chances to fight for a spot in next season’s top flight. Last time out, the side succumbed to a 2-1 away defeat to Barracas Central (at Huracan). Federico Vilar’s men remain on three points in as many matches in the Copa Liga Profesional, which keeps them bottom in the aggregate table and also in the point-average rankings, trailing the first safe place by 17 points (even though they won two, drew one and lost two of their last five in league action). On away turf, Arsenal made it 12 without a victory, taking three points from 36 on offer in that time.
River needs to recover from a poor performance and what better way to do it than playing at home against the worst team in the league, whom they should be able to beat without any problems.