Sarmiento vs Defensa y Justicia
Sarmiento couldn’t handle Franco Quinteros’ sending-off in the first half and ended up losing 1-0 away at Rosario Central. As a result, the team are on three matches without a win, drawing two and losing one since beating Patronato 3-1 in round four. Following this negative run, Israel Damonte’s men remain on eight points in the Liga Profesional and are approaching the relegation zone (occupying the last safe place in the respective table). On a positive note, Sarmiento are unbeaten at home, having secured seven points from nine on offer in this competition.
Defensa y Justicia secured their first victory in the Liga Profesional last Monday, when they reversed the score to beat Aldosivi 3-2 at home in a thrilling match. As a result, the team stopped a seven-match winless streak of four draws and three defeats in league action and made it seven points in this competition, which allows them to continue occupying one of the Copa Sudamericana places in the aggregate table. On a sorry note, El Halcon haven’t claimed any victories in their last four away matches, drawing one and losing three since beating Union Santa Fe 2-1 in May.
Defensa had to work hard to get their first win of the season even though they were playing against the terrible Aldosivi, so they should have a hard time visiting this Sarmiento undefeated at home.