Newell’s vs Banfield
Newell’s Old Boys succumbed to their first defeat of the season last Saturday, when they ended up losing 1-0 away at Defensa y Justicia in a boring game. As a result, Gabriel Heinze’s men remain on four points after the first three rounds of Liga Profesional action. The loss put an end to La Lepra’s four-match unbeaten streak of two victories and two draws in league action. At home, Newell’s are on two consecutive victories, having beaten Velez Sarsfield and Boca Juniors without even conceding.
Banfield continue finding trouble to claim victories in the Liga Profesional. Last Sunday, they weren’t able to beat Gimnasia LP, one of the worst teams in the league, and ended up drawing 0-0 at home. Therefore, El Taladro made it only two points across three rounds in the Liga Profesional and extended their winless streak to five (three stalemates and two defeats). As a result, they are just six points above the relegation zone in the point-average table. Furthermore, Banfield lost four of their last five away matches, just beating Aldosivi (who are now in the second division) in that time.
I expect a hard fought game here between two teams that need to get out of this mediocrity they are in, but Newell’s at home against a terrible team when playing away like is Banfield, should have an advantage and could be a perfect opportunity to take another win under coach Gabriel Heinze.