Rosario Central vs Atletico Tucuman
Rosario Central couldn’t handle interim boss Matias Lequi’s decision to field an alternative XI and ended up succumbing to a deserved 1-0 away defeat to Independiente. That loss put an end to their two-match winning streak in Liga Profesional action: they remain on 15 points and far away from the fight for a continental ticket in the aggregate table. On a positive note, Central suffered a single defeat across their last six league matches at Estadio Gigante de Arroyito, with two victories and three stalemates in that time. On Wednesday 21, Central lost 3-1 away at Brazil’s Fortaleza EC in the return leg of the Copa Sudamericana round of 16, being knocked out of the competition. Centre back Facundo Mallo succumbed to a muscle injury and will miss out. Captain Marco Ruben is still a doubt remains sidelined.
Atletico Tucuman continue to improve game after game. Last time out, the team showed a great display of effort to beat Estudiantes 2-0 at home thanks to goals from Mateo Coronel and Marcelo Estigarribia. El Decano extended their unbeaten streak to nine league matches, winning five and drawing four, and climbed into third spot of the Liga Profesional table on 22 points (just one behind leaders Huracan). On away turf, Atletico haven’t lost any of the last four, with two victories and two stalemates in that spell. All regulars are available to visit Rosario Central on Monday.
Atletico Tucuman can become the only leaders of the league if they win here. They’ve been very solid so far this season and they will play against a Rosario Central that won’t have their best defender Facundo Mallo as well as club legend, striker Marco Ruben, and maybe not so much confidence after the Copa Sudamericana elimination so I expect the visitors not to lose here.