Velez – Instituto
Velez Sarsfield wasted the big chance of becoming Liga Profesional leaders last Sunday, when they had to settle for a 2-2 away draw at Banfield after leading 2-0 at one point. However, El Fortin are going through a remarkable moment of form: they made it five league games unbeaten, winning four and drawing one to accumulate 18 points (two behind table toppers Huracan), which allows them to remain at the top of the aggregate table so far. Velez have been without defeat in their last home matches, with seven victories and three stalemates in that spell. Damian Fernandez, recovering from a long-term foot injury, is the only relevant absentee.
Instituto returned to winning ways last Sunday, securing a late 2-0 home success over Platense thanks to goals from Fernando Alarcon and Facundo Suarez after the 80th minute. Therefore, they stopped a three-game winless streak of two stalemates and one defeat in league action and made it 18 points in the Liga Profesional, just two behind leaders Huracan and three behind the last Copa Sudamericana berth in the aggregate table. On away turf, Instituto won only one of the last four, drawing one and losing two.
Both can become leaders with a win, Velez has scored at least 2 goals in each of their last 6 games and Instituto has been a good attacking team as well so I have to take this short total line.