Newell’s – Velez

 

Newell’s Old Boys fans should have felt disappointed after the team’s 2-2 away draw at Godoy Cruz as they wasted a 2-0 lead taken in the first half. La Lepra won only one of their last nine league matches (drawing three and losing five) to make it 16 points in the league table, which is a poor campaign for Fernando Gamboa’s men. Furthermore, Newell’s managed a single point across their last four home matches (losing the last three to Atletico Tucuman, River Plate and Huracan).

Velez Sarsfield saved a valuable point at home against Independiente, securing a 3-3 home draw in spite of having trailed 3-1 until the 88th minute. That result allowed them to remain unbeaten in their last eight league games (five wins and three stalemates in that spell). El Fortin earned 21 points in the Liga Profesional and continue as leaders in the 2021 aggregate table. On a sorry note, they have been irregular on away turf in this tournament, having won only one of their six matches on the road (three draws and two defeats).

Newell’s has the 2nd worst defense in the league with 21 goals conceded in 14 games, Velez has a powerful attack with 11 goals scored in the last 5 games, so I expect an open match here.

BET: OVER 2.25 @ 1.92