Sports Mole previews Tuesday’s Argentine Primera Division clash between Belgrano and Godoy Cruz, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Belgrano will be hoping to quickly bounce back from defeat when they host Godoy Cruz at Estadio Julio Cesar Villagra on Tuesday.
The visitors, on the other hand, travel to Cordoba seeking to build on their first win of the season last time out.
Match preview
© Reuters
Belgrano recorded one draw and four wins, including a 2-1 victory over Internacional in the Copa Sudamericana on 29 May, prior to their last match.
However, El Pirata’s five-match unbeaten run across all competitions ended with a 2-0 defeat to Lanus at El Estadio Ciudad de Lanus last Thursday, dropping them to ninth in the Argentine Primera Division table.
The defeat to Lanus was also the first time Juan Cruz Real‘s side had conceded more than one goal in a match since their previous loss to River Plate on May 18.
Belgrano will be eager to put together another strong run starting with Tuesday’s home game against Godoy Cruz, but they have failed to win any of their last four meetings with the visiting side.
The last encounter between the two teams was also at Estadio Julio Cesar Villagra, and the hosts lost 1-0, although they have never lost consecutive home matches to the visitors.
Godoy Cruz secured their first win in the second phase of the Argentine top flight with a 2-1 victory over reigning champions River Plate at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas last Wednesday.
La Bodeguero fell behind when Miguel Borja scored for River Plate, but Vicente Poggi’s quick-fire brace just before the half-hour mark turned the game in their favour.
Due to a three-point deduction earlier in the campaign, Daniel Oldra‘s side were left pointless prior to the win despite drawing three matches, and despite picking up their first points, they still occupy the second-bottom position in the league standings.
Godoy will be aiming to win consecutive matches for the first time since April, but to do so, they will have to win away from home for the first time this campaign.
Belgrano Argentine Primera Division form:
Belgrano form (all competitions):
Godoy Cruz Argentine Primera Division form:
Team News
© Imago
Belgrano will remain without the services of 30-year-old forward Lucas Passerini and 26-year-old right winger Ulises Sanchez, who are both sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury.
Facundo Quignon, Rafael Delgado, Matias Marin and Alex Ibacache are also unavailable for selection due to injuries.
Godoy will also take to the pitch without Tomas Pozzo and Nahuel Ulariaga, who both miss out with cruciate ligament tears.
Juan Cejas and Braian Salvareschi will also continue their time on the sidelines as they are yet to recover from muscle and foot injuries respectively.
Belgrano possible starting lineup:
Chicco; Troilo, Rebola, Baldi; Barinaga, Rolon, Longo, Metilli; Jara, Fernandez, Reyna
Godoy Cruz possible starting lineup:
Petroli; Luciano, Rasmussen, Barrios, Arce; Poggi, Sosa, Fernandez; Barrea, Pino, Altamira
We say: Belgrano 1-0 Godoy Cruz
Belgrano are unbeaten at home since the start of the second phase and they have better firepower than Godoy Cruz, which is why we see the home side picking up a win here in what is likely to be a keenly-contested encounter.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.