Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Argentine Primera Division clash between Instituto and Boca Juniors, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Instituto can maintain their unbeaten form at home in the second phase of the Argentine Primera Division campaign when they host Boca Juniors on Sunday at Estadio Presidente Peron.
In their previous domestic encounter, El Glorioso were beaten 1-0 by Atletico Tucuman, while Boca played to a 2-2 draw with Defensa y Justicia in their previous league fixture.
Match preview
© Reuters
With 10 matches remaining in the domestic campaign, Instituto are in the thick of a heated race for a coveted spot in the Copa Sudamericana group stage next year.
Their three-match unbeaten run at home is a big reason why they find themselves just two points behind a place in that competition while currently 15th in the overall table.
All four of their victories in the second phase of this competition occurred when Diego Dabove‘s men found the back of the net multiple times.
Instituto have never lost a match in the second phase of the 2024 Primera Division campaign when scoring first, but they have also collected four points when conceding the opener.
They have not won a home game against Boca Juniors in this competition since the 2005 domestic campaign when they claimed a 3-1 triumph.
© Reuters
The club from La Boca enter this contest on a five-match unbeaten run across all competitions, advancing into the round of 16 of the Copa Sudamericana on Wednesday by defeating Independiente del Valle 1-0.
Domestically, however, this campaign has been a little underwhelming for Diego Martinez, given the high standards of this club, as they sit 19th in the second-round table with eight points after six matchdays.
Overall, Azul y Oro are ninth in the standings with 33 points, three below Estudiantes and a place in the Copa Libertadores qualifiers next season, and four back of a spot in the group stage of that tournament.
Their away form has held them back this season, with both of their defeats in this phase of the competition taking place outside of La Bombonera.
Xeneize have never won an away match versus Instituto but have claimed a result in two of their three matches against them as the visitors.
Instituto Argentine Primera Division form:
Boca Juniors Argentine Primera Division form:
Boca Juniors form (all competitions):
Team News
© Reuters
On matchday seven, Instituto were without Damian Batallini because of a knee injury, while Santiago Rodriguez was sidelined with a muscle strain.
There was only one change made to their starting 11 from matchday six to seven, with Gregorio Rodriguez partnering in the attack alongside Ignacio Russo instead of Santiago Rodriguez.
Boca are unlikely to have Nicolas Figal available due to a sprained ankle, while Marcelo Saracchi may be out once again because of a muscle issue.
Meanwhile, Ezequiel Fernandez, Leandro Brey, Kevin Zenon and Cristian Medina are all away on international duty with the Argentine U-23 squad at the Paris Olympics.
Instituto possible starting lineup:
Roffo; Cerato, Requena, Alarcon, L. Rodriguez; Acevedo, Dubersarsky, Lodico, Puebla; Russo, S. Rodriguez
Boca Juniors possible starting lineup:
Romero; Gorosito, Lollo, Medel, Fabra; Belmonte, Fernandez, Delgado, Aguirre; Merentiel, Cavani
We say: Instituto 0-0 Boca Juniors
Boca have not won consecutive domestic encounters all year, and fatigue may play a factor for them, given all the defending they had to do at the Copa Sudamericana the last time out.
That said, they are a well-organised defensive unit, capable of handling a lot of pressure, and we believe they will grind out a result against an Instituto side that have been potent at home.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.