Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Argentine Primera Division clash between Central Cordoba and Platense, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Seeking their first points in the second phase of the 2024 Argentine Primera Division campaign, Central Cordoba will welcome Platense to Estadio Alfredo Terrera on Sunday.
In their previous domestic encounter, El Ferroviario were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Argentinos Juniors, while Marron lost by that same score to Talleres Cordoba.
Match preview
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There seems to be no end to the slump that Central Cordoba find themselves in, currently winless in their last 10 Primera Division encounters.
Along with Godoy Cruz, they are the only other team in the second phase of this competition without a single point after five matchdays, though Godoy have played one match fewer.
Lucas Gonzalez was brought in to try and reverse their fortunes and clean up their defensive frailties, but thus far he has not been successful at either, with his team conceding the most goals in the second round (15).
That has them hovering dangerously close to the relegation line, just a single point above Tigre in the cumulative table, though the latter have played one more match.
It has been over a month since their previous game in this competition, and they have not won a domestic home fixture since matchday four in the opening round (3-0 over Sarmiento).
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After five matchdays in the second phase, Platense have just one victory, though they have also avoided defeat in three of their previous four league contests.
Co-coaches Favio Orsi and Sergio Gomez have seen their side score first in two of their previous four domestic affairs, claiming four points.
Platense have collected just two victories away from home in the Argentine Primera Division this year, and just one point as the visitors in the second phase.
With five points after five matchdays, Tinta de calamar have accumulated the same amount as they did in this phase last year, scoring the joint second-fewest goals so far in round two (three).
In their nine all-time meetings with Central Cordoba across all competitions, Calamares have only claimed one victory against them away from home, winning 2-1 in the 2021 Copa de la Liga.
Central Cordoba Argentine Primera Division form:
Platense Argentine Primera Division form:
Team News
Cordoba could be without Jose Gomez due to a sprained knee, and Thiago Nuss has a meniscus injury, with neither expected to return until late July.
Kevin Vazquez had their only goal in a losing effort versus Argentinos Juniors, while Rodrigo Atencio notched a brace in their victory over Estudiantes at the Copa Argentina this week, enabling them to advance into the last 16.
On Sunday, Platense could be missing Carlos Villalba and Juan Ignacio Saborido after they each sustained a broken foot, while Mateo Pellegrino is doubtful with an ankle sprain and Juan Pablo Cozzani will be suspended following his straight red card in their previous encounter.
Franco Minerva had the only goal for them on matchday five, but his first of the second phase was not enough to earn them a point.
Central Cordoba possible starting lineup:
Ingolotti; Torrent, Valdez, Rivero; J. Gomez, Vazquez, Sanchez, Trindade; Atencio, Sanabria; Molina
Platense possible starting lineup:
Desabato; Schelotto, Vazquez, Suso, Marcich; I. Gomez; Russo, Juarez, Hachen, Minerva; Martinez
We say: Central Cordoba 0-2 Platense
Over a month off may have enabled Cordoba to refocus and correct some of their past mistakes, but their leaky defence is difficult to overlook, and we believe the visitors will eventually find a breakthrough and win comfortably.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.