Defensa y Justicia vs Newell’s
Defensa y Justicia took advantage of Gimnasia LP’s crisis and beat them 2-0 away from home thanks to goals from Santiago Solari and Nicolas Fernandez in an intense match last Monday. Therefore, Julio Vaccari’s men took their first three points in the Liga Profesional and also made it seven victories across the last 11 matches in league action (drawing three and losing only one in that time). El Halcon were beaten by Huracan 4-2 in their last home match, which broke a six-game unbeaten streak of four wins and two stalemates at Estadio Norberto Tomaghello. Wingers Gaston Togni and Gabriel Alanis are expected to be available on Saturday after overcoming their respective injuries.
Newell’s Old Boys secured their first victory under recently-appointed coach Gabriel Heinze last time out, when they beat Velez Sarsfield 1-0 at home thanks to a goal from Juan Sforza in the second half. As a result, La Lepra made it four points from six on offer in the Liga Profesional, trailing leaders by two. In fact, they have been unbeaten across the last four league matches, winning two and drawing two in that time. The same can be said about Newell’s Old Boys on the road: they claimed two victories and two stalemates in their last four. Right back Armando Mendez, affected by an arm injury, is the most relevant absentee.
I like this low totals line, these are teams that can definitely score as shown in the first rounds (Defensa scored 2 in each game, Newell’s had a 2-2 draw in the first game) so I’m going for the OVER.