Newell’s Old Boys seem to be finding their best version under recently-appointed coach Mauricio Larriera. Last Tuesday, the team beat Lanus 2-0 away thanks to goals from Brian Aguirre and Juan Ignacio Ramirez. La Lepra grabbed all six points in two rounds to become leaders in group B (along with Godoy Cruz and Estudiantes) and also made it three consecutive victories in league action without even conceding. Newell’s won their last home match in 2023 to break a four-game winless streak of one draw and three losses at Estadio Marcelo Bielsa. Midfielder Juan Sforza has been sold to Brazil’s CR Vasco da Gama.

Belgrano couldn’t handle a sending-off in the second half and had to settle for a 1-1 home draw against San Lorenzo last Wednesday. Following that result, El Pirata grabbed their first point in the Copa Liga Profesional. In fact, Guillermo Farre’s men are without a win in their last four in league action, drawing one and losing three in that span. Belgrano also are on three consecutive defeats on away turf.

I expect a very tight game here between these two solid teams. Newell’s didn’t concede yet, Belgrano did but it took Estudiantes 95 minutes to score against them, so I can’t see a high scoring game here.