Defensa y Justicia vs Lanus
Defensa y Justicia secured a massive victory in their last league game, beating Sarandi Arsenal 2-1 away after reversing the score thanks to a brace from Nicolas Fernandez in just one minute. El Halcon made it two consecutive victories in this competition and three across the last four league games (along with a single defeat), which allowed them to climb into fifth spot of the Liga Profesional table on 39 points, only one behind the last Copa Libertadores place, occupied by Lanus at the moment. Furthermore, Defensa are unbeaten in their last six domestic matches at home, having won four and drawn two in that spell. Playmaker David Barbona returns after recovering from a muscle problem.
Lanus had a rough night last Tuesday and succumbed to an unexpected 1-0 home defeat to Velez Sarsfield after wasting several goalscoring chances. That result put an end to their seven-match unbeaten streak of four victories and three draws in league action. However, El Grana remain occupying the last Copa Libertadores’ spot in the aggregate table, accumulating 40 points. Lanus won their last away game (1-0 at Platense) to stop a nine-game winless streak of six stalemates and three defeats on the road. Tomas Belmonte, Raul Loaiza and Jose Canale remain sidelined.
Defensa has been too solid at home to miss these big odds on a home win, especially with Barbona back in midfield.