Racing vs Lanus
Racing Club don’t give up on their fight to advance to the playoffs. Last weekend, the team took advantage of Adrian Martinez’s hattrick to secure a vital 3-1 away success at CA Central Cordoba. Following that victory, La Academia stopped a four-match winless streak of two draws and two defeats in league action and made it 18 points in the Copa Liga Profesional group B, two behind Defensa y Justicia (in fourth). On a sorry note, Racing managed a single point from the last nine on offer at Estadio Eva Peron in this competition. On Thursday 4, Gustavo Costas’ men won 2-0 away at Paraguay’s Sportivo Luqueno in a Copa Sudamericana group game. Santiago Sosa reached the yellow-card limit and is suspended. Bruno Zuculini returns to league action after serving his one-game ban.
Lanus secured an important home point in round 12. when they came back from a 2-0 disadvantage to make it 2-2 at home against Union Santa Fe. El Granate are close to clinching their spot in the playoffs after three league matches without defeat (two victories and one draw): they accumulated 23 points to occupy second spot in group B, three behind leaders Godoy Cruz. Lanus have been strong as the visiting side last time out, winning the last four in this competition. On Wednesday 3, Lanus drew 1-1 away at Cuiaba EC in a Copa Sudamericana group game. Leandro Diaz and Raul Loaiza return to league action after overcoming their injuries.
Racing must win or they will be out of the playoffs, Lanus will be happy with a draw but they can’t afford a defeat, so I expect an open game here between two of the best league attacks who should play a very entertaining game.