Racing vs Lanus
Racing Club were displaced from the Copa Sudamericana spots last time out as a result of their 4-0 away defeat at River Plate, who became champions on Thursday night. Following their fifth loss across the last seven league games (along with a single win and one draw), La Academia remain on 26 points in 22 games in the Liga Profesional, which puts them two points behind the last continental berth in the 2021 aggregate rankings, occupied by Gimnasia LP at the moment. To make matters worse, Racing are winless in their last seven home matches in this competition, having drawn three and lost four since beating Newell’s Old Boys in August. Centre back Leonardo Sigali is set to return from suspension on Monday. First-choice goalkeeper Gabriel Arias ruptured his knee ligament and will be ruled out for several months.
Lanus are on three league matches without a win (two draws and one defeat) following their 3-3 home stalemate against Platense after wasting a 3-1 lead. This game meant a big chance of approaching the Copa Libertadores’ spots in the aggregate table, but now the team are three points behind the last qualifying berth. Nevertheless, El Granate have performed well in this competition, accumulating 36 points in 22 games. In fact, they won six of their ten road matches so far, losing the other four.
Racing will be without their really good goalkeeper, a draw is pretty much useless for both as they are trying to get a Copa Sudamericana/Libertadores spot, so I expect to see goals here.