Sarmiento vs Talleres
Sarmiento played a very good first half on their visit to defending champions Boca Juniors, but they conceded twice in the last 20 minutes and ended up losing 2-0. Israel Damonte’s men claimed a single victory across their last six league matches, along with three stalemates and two defeats. However, the team continue performing well in the Liga Profesional, accumulating 28 points to remain safe from relegation threats. Sarmiento have been unbeaten in their last six at home: they won three and drew three since losing to River Plate 2-0 in March. Striker Luciano Gondou, involved in a transfer negotiation with Argentinos Juniors, will miss this game. Lisandro Lopez and Alejandro Donatti remain out injured.
Talleres wasted a big chance of approaching the league leaders last Saturday, when they had to settle for a disappointing 1-1 home draw against Godoy Cruz after scoring the opener. However, it’s an excellent campaign for them as La T are sitting in second spot of the league table on 41 points (trailing River Plate by nine) after losing only one of their last nine matches in this competition (along with six victories and two stalemates). In fact, Talleres are the second best away side in the league, having grabbed 18 points in ten matches as a product of five wins, three draws and just two losses.
Sarmiento won’t have their best striker, Luciano Gondou, and their two most experienced players (Lisandro Lopez and Donati), so I’ll go here with Talleres who are in a must win situation to avoid River from winning the championship in the next round.