Institute vs Sarmiento

Instituto were outplayed from start to finish last Sunday and couldn’t cope with the attacking power of one of the league’s top teams, losing 3-0 away to Rosario Central. It was their seventh defeat in the last 11 league matches (along with two wins and two draws), yet La Gloria remain inside the playoff zone in Group B with 14 points, ahead of ninth-placed Godoy Cruz on goal difference. Instituto are unbeaten in their last three home games, with two wins and one draw.

Sarmiento squandered a golden opportunity last Sunday, delivering a poor performance in a 1-0 home loss to Platense. A win would have put them in the playoff zone, but instead, El Verde remain on 13 points in Group B, one behind their next opponent, who currently hold the eighth spot. The team has managed just one win in their last eight league matches (five draws and two losses), although that lone victory came on the road—a 1-0 win over Vélez Sarsfield that ended a 17-game winless streak away from home in this competition (six draws and 11 losses). Juan Insaurralde has served his suspension and is available for Sunday.

A draw is a useless result for both and the same as a defeat: for Instituto it would mean that three teams (Godoy Cruz, Talleres or Gimnasia) could take their last playoff place if they win in this round, while for Sarmiento it would be the end of their chances to advance to the next stage. Because of this I expect them to take risks and I’ll take the OVER.

BET: OVER 2 @ 1.97