Sarandi Arsenal needed a single year to return to the top flight. They were crowned B Nacional champions by beating Sarmiento 1-0 in a championship playoff after both teams ended level in the regular-season table. El Viaducto won their last five league games consecutively to lift the title. At home, Arsenal are on ten matches without defeat, having won eight and drawn two since losing to Instituto 2-1 in September
Banfield is just eight points above the drop zone at the moment and should increase their points average to stay safe from potential relegation threats. Last term, they were tenth in the league table and lost to Estudiantes in the Superliga Cup’s first round. El Taladro won 1-0 in La Plata in the first leg and it was their only victory in their last seven matches, with two draws and four defeats.
Arsenal was the best-attacking team in Nacional B last season and I expect them to continue like that in the top division as they have the same base of players. Banfield with some new faces, they’ve struggled defensively last season under coach Hernan Crespo and this early in the season it won’t be easy for them to get any better.
In a very under ish first round, I expect this to be a more open game so I’m going for the OVER.