Sarmiento vs Velez
Sarmiento returned to the top flight after three and a half years in the second tier by beating Estudiantes Rio Cuarto on penalties in the championship playoff on a neutral ground at Union Santa Fe on January 16th. The team from Junin have been unbeaten in the last eight league matches, winning four and drawing four in regular time. Four of those games took place at Estadio Eva Peron, with the hosts taking two victories and two stalemates. Sarmiento added 11 new players to their squad.
Velez Sarsfield opened up the new season with a valuable 1-0 home success over Newell’s Old Boys to take their first three points thanks to a goal from Juan Martin Lucero in the first half. Therefore, the team made it four consecutive victories in league action. On away turf, El Fortin managed to remain unbeaten in the last league competition, registering three successes and two draws.
Sarmiento will probably play safe in their first game in the top division in more than 3 years, so I expect a tight game here.