Boca vs Deportivo Riestra
Boca Juniors started life under new coach Fernando Gago in a terrible way. The team showed a disappointing version and succumbed to a devastating 3-0 away defeat to relegation candidates Tigre. That result means El Xeneize lost four of their last five matches in this competition, along with a single victory, which left them on 24 points in the Liga Profesional and four points behind the Copa Libertadores’ zone in the aggregate table. On a positive note, Boca lost only one of their last 18 domestic games at home, winning 12 and drawing five. On Wednesday 23, Boca won on penalties after a 1-1 draw against Gimnasia LP in the Copa Argentina quarter-finals. Kevin Zenon and Miguel Merentiel succumbed to different injuries while Cristian Medina has been ruled out after asking for a transfer.
Deportivo Riestra continue to produce an excellent campaign in their first top-flight appearance. Last time out, the team secured a massive 2-0 home success over Atletico Tucuman to make it 27 points in the Liga Profesional, having succumbed to a single defeat across their last seven in this competition (three wins and three draws). Therefore, they have virtually clinched their spot in the Primera Division for next season. On a sorry note, Riestra remain without a win in their last ten on the road, drawing three and losing seven. Centre back Alan Barrionuevo will serve his second game suspended.
As poor as Boca has been lately, I can’t imagine that they wouldn’t beat a very small team like Deportivo Riestra at home. Fernando Gago will have his first home game as coach, Riestra has been terrible when playing away so I expect Boca to finally get a very needed win.