Sports Mole previews Friday’s Argentine Primera Division clash between Boca Juniors and Velez Sarsfield, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Boca Juniors and Velez Sarsfield will both be looking to improve on their indifferent starts to the season when they square off on Friday.
These two teams head into their fifth Argentine Primera Division fixture of the season sitting in 18th and 15th place in the standings respectively.
Match preview
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Having reached the semi-finals of the Copa de la Liga Professional during the opening five months of the year, Boca Juniors would have had high hopes for kicking on when the Primera Division got underway in May.
However, Diego Martinez‘s side have been inconsistent over their opening four games, their only success coming by a 4-2 scoreline at Central Cordoba SdE.
In the other three matches – against Atletico Tucuman, Talleres de Cordoba and Platense – Boca Juniors have failed to score, leaving them down in the lower echelons of the table.
On a more positive note, Martinez’s side have been more ruthless in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana, collecting 11 points from their six fixtures to earn second spot behind group winners Fortaleza.
They now face a last-of-32 tie with Independiente Valle in July, allowing the Azul y Oro to focus on improving their fortunes on the domestic front.
Velez Sarsfield went one better in the Copa de la Liga Professional, reaching the final before losing to Estudiantes on penalties.
The hangover to that was losing 3-1 at Gimnasia La Plata in their opening game of the Primera Division, although they have since responded with a four-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.
A 1-0 triumph over Newell’s Old Boys has been followed by draws against Independiente and Atletico Tucuman, conceding just two goals across those three encounters.
That was backed up with a 2-1 victory away at Arsenal in the Copa Argentina, with Gustavo Quinteros continuing his impressive start to life at the club with just four defeats coming in 23 matches.
Boca Juniors Argentine Primera Division form:
Boca Juniors form (all competitions):
Velez Sarsfield Argentine Primera Division form:
Team News
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Boca Juniors are missing Luis Advincula who remains with the provisional Peru squad ahead of the 2024 Copa America.
With Marcos Rojo suspended due to his sending off last time out, Lautaro Di Lollo and Frank Fabra may deputise for the absent pair.
A further change could come in attack with Lucas Janson being withdrawn before half time at Atletico Platense, but Edinson Cavani has not featured in three of the last four league squads.
Quinteros could revert to the side that prevailed in their last league game, with alterations having been made for the cup win at Arsenal four days later.
Although Thiago Fernandez was withdrawn at half time versus Turucan and dropped for the following game, the winger responded by scoring the decisive goal as a substitute.
Braian Romero remained unused in that game, but the forward should return in place of youngster Alejo Sarco.
Boca Juniors possible starting lineup:
Romero; Fabra, Lema, Di Lollo, Blanco; Medina, E.Fernandez, P.Fernandez, Zenon; Rodriguez, Merentiel
Velez Sarsfield possible starting lineup:
Marchiori; Garcia, D.Fernandez, V.Gomez, E.Gomez; Bouzat, Ordonez; Pizzini, Aquino, T.Fernandez; Romero
We say: Boca Juniors 2-1 Velez Sarsfield
With the form of each team suggesting that they are evenly matched at this stage, we anticipate a closely-fought contest at La Bombonera. However, home advantage could prove key for Boca, who may feel more inclined to go on the offensive in a tight fixture.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.