Tigre vs Banfield
Tigre showed a more than decent version last weekend, but they were ineffective up front and ended up suffering an unlucky 1-0 away loss at Defensa y Justicia in coach Juan Manuel Sara’s second game in charge. That result represented their fifth loss across the last nine league games (along with one victory and three draws) as El Matador remain on 25 points, leading Huracan (who are currently losing their top-flight status) by six. On a positive note, Tigre lost only one of their last seven domestic matches at home, winning four and drawing two.
Banfield showed signs of life and managed three massive points last Sunday, when they beat Argentinos Juniors 1-0 at home thanks to a strike from Milton Gimenez in the second half. Julio Falcioni’s men put an end to their three-match losing streak in this competition and left the relegation spot in the aggregate table as they are now on 21 points, leading Huracan (sitting in 27th and currently losing their top-flight status) by two. On a sorry note, Banfield remain winless in their last six on the road, having drawn two and lost four. Defensive midfielder Eric Remedi reached the yellow-card limit against Argentinos Juniors and is suspended.
I’m still not convinced by this Banfield despite their weekend win, and even though Tigre will have a couple of missings in midfield (Castro and Menossi) I think they should have enough to win this one at home.