Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Argentine Primera Division clash between Argentinos Juniors and River Plate, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
River Plate will look to keep up their undefeated start to the second phase of the Argentine Primera Division on Saturday when they travel to face Argentinos Juniors.
The hosts head into the game after a defeat and are attempting to get back on track immediately.
Match preview
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After a strong first-phase campaign that saw them finish second in Group A, Argentinos Juniors will attempt to improve upon that position in the second phase.
They sat one point behind River Plate in second place during the season’s first section, which will create a competitive fixture this weekend.
Pablo Guede‘s men will need to put together a stronger performance than their midweek efforts against Racing Club to get back to winning ways on Saturday, though, as they were comfortably defeated 3-0 in that game.
Francisco Alvarez getting sent off in the 58th minute made that fixture instantly difficult for Argentinos Juniors, with the focus on discipline being key this time out.
The last meeting between the two teams ended in a 1-1 draw, as Santiago Montiel scored an 83rd-minute equaliser, showcasing how even things are between the two clubs.
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The visitors have made a perfect start to the second phase, a continuation of the fact that they only lost a single game in Group A earlier this season.
River Plate have picked up consecutive 3-0 wins in the second phase of the Argentine Primera Division, highlighting the attacking and defensive capabilities of the squad.
But Los Millonarios head into this weekend with a defeat. They were knocked out of the Copa Argentina via a penalty shootout.
River Plate had initially taken the lead through Ezequiel Barco, but conceding in the 92nd minute proved to be something they could not come back from, highlighting the importance of focusing until the very end.
With the visitors currently at the top of the table in the second phase, plenty of teams are attempting to chase them down, but consistency proved to be key earlier in the campaign, and repeating that will be crucial.
Argentinos Juniors Argentine Primera Division form:
Argentinos Juniors form (all competitions):
River Plate Argentine Primera Division form:
River Plate form (all competitions):
Team News
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Alan Rodriguez remains an injury concern for the hosts heading into this fixture, as the midfielder is not expected to return from his knee injury until June.
Meanwhile, Argentinos will also be without Alvarez after he was sent off in their last game which will force a change to the defensive lineup in this game.
When it comes to the visitors, they are dealing with a trio of injuries as Pity Martinez is out of action due to a cruciate ligament issue.
He is joined on the sidelines by Manuel Lanzini and Ramiro Funes Mori, which is something that River Plate are having to combat at the moment.
Argentinos Juniors possible starting lineup:
D. Rodriguez; Santamaria, Godoy, Palacio, Vega; Lescano, Gamara, Oroz; Gondou, Heredia, Romero
River Plate possible starting lineup:
Armani; Sant’Anna, Gonzalez Pirez, P. Diaz, E. Diaz; Simon, Fonseca, Barco; Echeverri; Solari, Broja
We say: Argentinos Juniors 1-1 River Plate
Two of the division’s strongest teams competing against each other is likely to provide a closely fought contest, which is why it would not be a shock to see them draw.
While the visitors might be slight favourites due to the season they have had, seeing them play to a draw could be the likely outcome.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.