Racing Club vs River Plate
Enzo Copetti’s goal in the 81st minute allowed Racing Club to clinch a massive 1-0 away success at Lanus in a hard-fought match last Tuesday. Following that victory, La Academia are still second placed on 50 points, one behind table toppers Boca Juniors. In fact, La Academia extended their unbeaten streak to eight matches in the Liga Profesional (winning seven and drawing one) and, in order to lift the league, they need to win here and wait for the defending champions to drop points. At home, Racing are on five consecutive wins since losing to San Lorenzo 2-1 in August.
River Plate wasted their last chance of entering the fight for the league title last time out, when they played one of their worst games in 2022 and lost to Rosario Central 2-1 at home. That defeat put an end to the team’s four-match winning streak in league action as El Millonario remain on 44 points in the Liga Profesional, having already secured their ticket to the 2023 Copa Libertadores.
Racing must win and hope that Boca doesn’t. They know their chances are small but finishing the season with a win in this derby at home against a River playing for nothing, should be huge motivation for them.