Newell’s Old Boys continue facing trouble this season. Last Saturday, the team were dominated from beginning to end and suffered an unquestionable 4-0 defeat away at Defensa y Justicia. They managed a single point in five rounds this term and also are on seven league matches without a win, drawing one and losing six. As a result, coach Frank Kudelka left the club. Furthermore, La Lepra are on three consecutive losses at their own stadium (to Velez Sarsfield, Boca Juniors and Independiente). Coach German Burgos will make his debut on Friday after several years as Diego Simeone’s assistant at Spanish club Atletico Madrid.

Union Santa Fe fans will have felt sorry after the team’s 1-1 home draw against Gimnasia LP in spite of having taken the first lead. However, Juan Manuel Azconzabal’s men are producing a good campaign so far. In fact, they remain unbeaten, having secured nine points (one behind Lanus, who occupy the last playoff place in group B) as a product of two victories and three draws.

Newell’s has been terrible lately, but the debut of coach German Burgos should be an energy boost for them and I expect them to take something from this game.