Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Argentine Primera Division clash between Estudiantes and Gimnasia, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Both Estudiantes and Gimnasia will be eager to end their respective losing streaks in the when they clash at Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi on Sunday evening.
The hosts are without a victory in their last five league matches, while the visitors have suffered defeats in their previous two encounters.
Match preview
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Estudiantes’ goalless draw against league leaders Huracan was impressive considering the current form of both sides – however, it extended Los Pincharratas’ winless run to five league games and eight across all competitions.
The six-time champions began the second phase of the 2024 Argentine Primera Division with victories over Tigre and Deportivo Riestra but have failed to win since, losing to Lanus and Sarmiento and drawing with Godoy Cruz, Union, and Huracan.
Eduardo Dominguez‘s side remain in 16th place with nine points, level with Rosario Central, Deportivo Riestra, and Argentinos Juniors, but they occupy the final Copa Libertadores spot in the aggregate table.
Nevertheless, they are in danger of losing this position as they are only ahead of Velez Sarsfield due to a superior goal difference, making a win crucial when they return to their home ground on Sunday.
Dominguez will be encouraged by the fact that his team are yet to lose at home in the second phase, winning once and drawing twice – however, they face an opponent they have not beaten since 2019.
Gimnasia enjoyed an unbeaten start to the campaign with two wins and a draw but have since endured a difficult period, losing three of their last four matches, including the most recent two.
Marcelo Mendez would have hoped for a reaction to the 1-0 defeat to Independiente, but his side suffered another 1-0 loss to struggling San Lorenzo at Estadio Juan Carmelo Zerillo on Tuesday.
Gimnasia have slipped to 11th in the table with 10 points, leaving them five points adrift of the top spot and 17th in the aggregate table.
Mendez’s team have struggled on the road, losing twice and drawing once from their three away matches, but will aim to change this with a victory at Estudiantes on Sunday.
However, they have a poor record at La Plata, winning just twice in 24 visits and losing 14 times, with their last victory there coming in 2003.
Estudiantes Argentine Primera Division form:
Estudiantes form (all competitions):
Gimnasia Argentine Primera Division form:
Team News
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Estudiantes will remain without the services of long-term absentees Javier Altamirano and Mauro Mendez, as both players are not expected back anytime soon.
Santiago Flores, Enzo Perez and Eros Mancuso are all nursing muscle issues and are unavailable for selection.
Nehuen Benedetti remains with the Argentine under 20 side for the COTIF Tournament, which will be the case for the next couple of weeks
Gimnasia have a number of injuries heading into this fixture, including Ivo Mammini who has been out with a cruciate ligament tear since March.
Cristian Colman, Lautaro Chavez, Leandro Mamut and Nicolas Colazo are also nursing different injuries and are expected to miss this match.
Estudiantes possible starting lineup:
Mansilla; Benedetti, Rodriguez, Fernandez, Meza; Neves, Piatti, Ascacibar; Cetre, Carrillo, Palacios
Gimnasia possible starting lineup:
Insfran; Pintado, Cortazzo, Canto, Rodriguez; Bolivar, Blasis; Zalazar, Castro, Dominguez; Castillo
We say: Estudiantes 0-0 Gimnasia
Six of the last seven meetings between Estudiantes and Gimnasia have ended in draws, while the home side have also played back-to-back goalless draws.
Both teams are struggling to get goals at the moment and it is likely going to remain that way when they face off, which is why we are predicting a goalless draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.