Newell’s vs Boca

Newell’s Old Boys returned to the top four in the Copa Liga Profesional group B last Sunday, when beating Sarmiento 1-0 away thanks to a penalty netted by Juan Ignacio Ramirez in the 81st minute. La Lepra made it five league matches unbeaten, winning two and drawing three, to climb into third spot in their zone, accumulating 21 points and leading Boca Juniors (in fifth) by two. On a sorry note, Newell’s managed a single victory across their last five matches as the hosting side, along with two stalemates and two losses. Defensive midfielder Rodrigo Fernandez is suspended after seeing a red card at Sarmiento. Ever Banega and Ian Glavinovich have served their respective suspensions and are available for Saturday.

Boca Juniors keep on fighting to secure a spot in the Copa Liga Profesional playoffs. Last Saturday, the team reversed the score to beat San Lorenzo 2-1 at home through goals from Edinson Cavani and Miguel Merentiel. El Xeneize made it three victories and one draw across their last five matches in this competition (along with a single defeat) to approach the playoff zone in group B, accumulating 19 points with one game in hand and trailing Defensa y Justicia by one. On a sorry note, Boca earned a single point from the last nine on offer as the visiting side in domestic action. On Wednesday 3, Diego Martinez’s men drew 0-0 away at Nacional Potosi from Bolivia in a Copa Sudamericana group game. Right midfielder Lucas Blondel ruptured his knee ligament and will remain sidelined for several months. In addition, Edinson Cavani will be rested due to a mild muscle problem.

Massive game for both and their hopes of reaching the playoffs, but especially for Newell’s who need a win here or they could be in big trouble because Boca still has to complete their game vs Estudiantes that was suspended in the 27th minute. Boca will have importante missings: striker Blondel and uruguayan legend Edinson Cavani are both injured, same as their goalkeeper Sergio Romero and defender Figal. Newell’s with Ever Banega back should be a better team, and if Boca settles for a draw that would be a good result for them, they could pay with a defeat so I’ll go with the hosts to take the 3 points they desperately need.

BET: Newell’s DNB @ 1.83