Huracan took a little breather in the context of an irregular campaign. In round 14, they played their best match in 2024 to beat Atletico Tucuman 4-0 at home. As a result, Frank Kudelka’s men made it three league games unbeaten (winning two and drawing one without even conceding) to accumulate 16 points in 14 rounds, still far away from the continental spots in the aggregate table but also safe from relegation threats. In addition, Huracan are without defeat in their last six at Estadio Tomas Adolfo Duco, with three victories and three stalemates in that spell. During the break, the side played three friendly games, winning two and drawing one. Left back Cesar Ibanez is suspended for Saturday after collecting his fifth yellow card.

Defensa y Justicia fans will have felt frustrated after their team’s loss to Argentinos Juniors on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the Copa Liga Profesional quarter-finals at Banfield as they conceded the equaliser in the 85th minute. Now they will fight for a Copa Libertadores’ ticket for next season (accumulating 26 points trailing the last qualifying berth in the aggregate table by goal difference). Defensa are unbeaten in their last seven league matches, winning four and drawing three in regular time. On away turf, they are on six without defeat, with three victories and three stalemates. Afterwards, Defensa lost 2-1 at Colombia’s Independiente Medellin and 3-0 at Bolivia’s Always Ready in Copa Sudamericana action. Gaston Togni and David Barbona are still long-term absentees.

Coming from a very tiring game at the high altitude of Bolivia and with one last chance in Copa Sudamericana next week, Defensa is going to use a very mixed lineup here to rest some starters so it should be a good opportunity for Huracan to start the tournament with the right foot and win at home.