Independiente vs Velez
Independiente wasted a big chance of returning to winning ways last Sunday, when they drew 1-1 away at Godoy Cruz after leading first and playing against ten men since the 49th minute. El Rojo have been winless in their last four league games, having drawn three and lost one since beating Colon 3-0 away in round 11. They managed only 14 points in 15 games in this competition and are occupying the 25th place in the aggregate table.
Velez Sarsfield continue to find trouble in the league. Last Monday, the team registered a disappointing 1-1 home draw against relegation candidates Sarmiento in a hard-fought game. Therefore, El Fortin are now winless in their last 11 league matches, having drawn seven and lost four in that spell. That means they are now on 11 points in the Liga Profesional, only one above bottom-placed Lanus. Velez are yet to win on away turf in this competition, having recorded four draws and four losses. Maximo Perrone succumbed to a rib injury and will miss several matches. Midfielder Nicolas Garayalde is ready to return from his ban while the AFA is yet to confirm the length of Lucas Pratto’s suspension. Coach Alexander Medina will field an alternative XI ahead of next Wednesday’s big clash against Brazil’s Flamengo in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores semi-finals.
Even if Independiente have been terrible so far this season, they should have enough to beat the also poor Velez who will mostly likely rest a lot of regulars ahead of their midweek Copa Libertadores semifinal.