Defensa y Justicia vs Velez
Defensa y Justicia played their worst game of the season last Sunday, when losing to shorthanded Sarmiento 3-1 away. That result stopped their three-game unbeaten run of two victories and one draw in league action, but didn’t displace them from the playoff spots: El Halcon are third-placed in group B on ten points. Defensa are on six matches without defeat as hosts in the top flight, having won five and drawn one since losing to CA Central Cordoba 3-2 in November 2020. On Thursday 25, they won 2-0 over San Lorenzo in the Copa Argentina’s second round. Striker Braian Romero is expected to return on Sunday after missing the last league game with muscle issues.
Velez Sarsfield managed a highly-celebrated success last weekend, when beating Independiente 1-0 at home thanks to a header from Luis Abram in the 83rd minute. That victory allowed El Fortin to become the only table toppers in group B, having accumulated 15 points from 18 available so far. Velez have been unbeaten in their last eight away matches in league action, registering six victories and two draws.
Despite last week’s poor performance and defeat, the Copa Sudamericana champion should be better than Velez, especially with their top scorer back.