Instituto was outplayed from start to finish last Sunday and was unable to match the offensive power of one of the league’s best teams, losing 3-0 away to Rosario Central. It was their seventh defeat in their last 11 league matches (along with two wins and two draws), but La Gloria remains in the playoff zone in Group B with 14 points, ahead of ninth-place Godoy Cruz on goal difference. Instituto remains unbeaten in their last three home matches, with two wins and one draw.

Sarmiento squandered a golden opportunity last Sunday, with a poor performance in a 1-0 home defeat to Platense. A win would have put them in the playoff zone, but instead, El Verde remain on 13 points in Group B, one less than their next opponent, who currently occupy eighth place. The team has only managed one win in their last eight league matches (five draws and two losses), although that lone victory came on the road: a 1-0 win over Vélez Sarsfield that ended a 17-match winless streak away from home in this competition (six draws and 11 losses). Juan Insaurralde served his suspension and is available for Sunday.

A draw is a pointless result for both teams, as is a loss: for Instituto, it would mean that three teams (Godoy Cruz, Talleres, or Gimnasia) could clinch their last playoff spot if they win in this round, while for Sarmiento, it would mean the end of their chances of advancing to the next phase. Therefore, I hope they take a chance, and I’m backing the OVER.