Barracas Central vs Tigre
Barracas Central have a mountain to climb in their task of adapting to the top flight. Last Tuesday, they lost 2-0 away at Lanus and they were lucky to have avoided a heavier rout. El Guapo remain pointless in the Copa Liga Profesional and bottom in the relegation table, but they also managed only one regular-time victory in the last six league games if we count last season in the second tier (with two draws and three losses in that spell). On a positive note, Barracas lost only one of their last 18 home matches (winning ten and drawing seven), but their own stadium is not allowed to host first-division matches, so the team will play as hosts at Huracan this season.
Thanks to Mateo Retegui’s goal in stoppage time, Tigre secured a 1-1 home draw against CA Central Cordoba last Wednesday. That result allows them to extend their unbeaten run to nine league matches (five victories and four stalemates) and also stay out of the relegation zone so far, having managed two points in as many games in the Copa Liga Profesional. El Matador haven’t lost any of their last four on away turf, registering two victories and two draws since losing to Estudiantes Caseros 2-1 in October (in the second tier). Key player Lucas Menossi remains out due to his back issues.
These two met in the 2nd division final a few months ago with Tigre getting a narrow 1-0 win, and I think Barracas will try to revenge that defeat here. They might not be exactly reliable yet, but looks like a good opportunity for them to get their first points of the season.