Boca vs Banfield
Following coach Sebastian Battaglia’s decision to pick an alternative XI, Boca Juniors succumbed to a 2-1 home defeat to Union Santa Fe last Friday. The team stopped a two-match winning streak in this competition and remain on nine points in the Liga Profesional, trailing leaders Newell’s Old Boys by four. The defeat also broke their seven-match unbeaten streak of four victories and three draws at Estadio La Bombonera in league action. On Tuesday 28, Boca drew 0-0 away at Brazil’s Corinthians in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores’ round-of-16. Thinking of Friday, captain Carlos Izquierdoz is suspended after seeing a red card against Union Santa Fe. His possible replacements Carlos Zambrano (who received a post-match ban) and Jorge Figal (due to a knee problem) are also unavailable.
Banfield left good impressions last Friday but lacked effectiveness up front and had to settle for a 1-1 home draw against Barracas Central. However, Claudio Vivas’ men extended their unbeaten streak to four league matches, winning two and drawing two, to make it eight points in five games in this competition. That streak places them into tentth spot of the aggregate table, currently qualifying for the 2023 Copa Sudamericana.
Boca will use a lot of reserves due to their Copa Libertadores midweek game, but like they showed last weekend they still can score with this mixed lineup, but also their defense is definitely not as good with so many important players out so I expect to see at least a couple of goals here.