Newell’s vs Belgrano
Newell’s Old Boys showed a great display of effort last Sunday, improving their skills to secure a valuable scoreless away stalemate at River Plate. Following that result, La Lepra made it 12 points in as many matches in the Liga Profesional. However, they also accumulate six games without a win in this competition, drawing three and losing three, which prevents them from fighting for a continental spot in the aggregate table. To make matters worse, Newell’s secured a single point from the last 12 on offer at Estadio Marcelo Bielsa. Juan Ignacio Mendez succumbed to a muscle injury and will miss out. Playmaker Ever Banega remains sidelined.
Belgrano are starting to find trouble in the league. Last Monday, they couldn’t handle a sending off in the first half and succumbed to an unexpected 1-0 home defeat to Gimnasia LP. As a result, El Pirata made it four matches without a win in this competition, drawing two and losing two. Accumulating 16 points in the Liga Profesional, Juan Cruz Real’s men dropped down to the 22nd spot of the aggregate table. Belgrano managed just two points from the last 15 available on the road in domestic action. Defensive midfielder Santiago Longo succumbed to a rib injury and will miss out. Centre back Nicolas Meriano is suspended for Sunday after seeing a red card against Gimnasia LP.
Even though Newell’s are not exactly reliable lately, I’m willing to give them a vote of confidence here. They come from a defensively good game against River, and will face this Belgrano that is full of problems, their coach is very close to leave and mood is bad after the Copa Sudamericana elimination so I’ll go with the hosts to get a probably tight but very needed win.