Defensa y Justicia vs Sarmiento
Dario Caceres’ massive strike in the 95th minute allowed Defensa to secure a big point after a 2-2 away draw at Godoy Cruz in a thrilling game last time out. That result allowed them to make it four league matches unbeaten (two victories and two draws), which means El Halcon accumulated 41 points in 25 rounds of Liga Profesional action. That remarkable campaign places them in the fifth spot of the league table, one points behind the last Copa Libertadores berth (occupied by Lanus). Defensa have been unbeaten in their last seven home matches in this competition, winning four and drawing three in that spell. On Wednesday 19, Julio Vaccari’s men won 1-0 over fifth-tier club Centro Espanol in the Copa Argentina second round. Thinking of Sunday, left back Alexis Soto is suspended after seeing a red card at Godoy Cruz. Tomas Cardona returns from suspension. Agustin Sant’Anna, Gabriel Alanis and Nazareno Colombo are all unavailable due to different injuries.
Sarmiento had to settle for a devastating 1-1 home stalemate against Velez Sarsfield in round 25, when they conceded the equaliser in the 12th minute of stoppage time. As a result, El Verde are now on four league games without a win, having taken a single point since beating Atletico Tucuman 4-1 in round 21. Israel Damonte’s men accumulated 29 points in the Liga Profesional, holding a ten-point gap over the relegation spot in the aggregate table. Sarmiento also are on four away games without a win, having drawn one and lost three in that time.
Defensa is without a doubt the best of these two but they will have many missings due to injuries, and considering Sarmiento has scored only one goal in the last 4 games (and no goals in their last 4 away games), I think this could be a tight game with few goals.