Sarmiento – Independiente

Sarmiento showed improvements last Saturday, but it wasn’t enough to return to winning ways. The 1-1 away stalemate at Newell’s Old Boys under interim boss Martin Funes means El Verde are winless in their last three league matches (two draws and one loss) to accumulate 20 points in 19 Liga Profesional rounds, which keeps them into the relegation spot in the aggregate table (one point behind Tigre). On a positive note, Sarmiento lost only one of their last eight at home, winning three and drawing four in that spell. Centre back Franco Paredes saw a red card at Newell’s Old Boys and is suspended for Friday, as well as Emiliano Mendez, who collected his fifth yellow card in this competition.

Independiente fans will have felt devastated after the team’s 1-1 home stalemate against Godoy Cruz last Saturday, when they conceded the equaliser just three minutes before the final whistle. However, El Rojo made it 11 league games unbeaten, winning four and drawing seven in that spell to accumulate 26 points in the Liga Profesional, which is enough to stay occupying one of the Copa Sudamericana spots in the aggregate table. Independiente haven’t lost any of their last five as the visiting side (two victories and three draws). Right back Federico Vera is suspended after reaching the yellow-card limit. Marco Pellegrino and Diego Tarzia remain ruled out.

Sarmiento has been poor overall but strong at home and I don’t see why they should be underdogs here against this Independiente that is also in a good undefeated streak but has struggled to win games.

BET: Sarmiento +0.25 @ 1.87