Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Argentine Primera Division clash between Godoy Cruz and Argentinos Juniors, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Godoy Cruz will go in search of a much-needed victory when they welcome Argentinos Juniors to Estadio Malvinas Argentinas on Saturday.
The visitors, meanwhile, head into this one buoyed by an impressive win last time out, which saw them end a run of consecutive defeats.
Match preview
© Imago
Godoy Cruz put on arguably their most impressive performance of the season in their opening fixture against Barracas Central on May 11, but wasteful finishing saw them suffer a 1-0 defeat.
It has been downhill for Daniel Oldra‘s men since then with consecutive stalemates against Independiente Rivadavia, Estudiantes and Rosario Central followed by a 3-0 defeat to Racing Club.
El Tomba finally picked up their first league win at the sixth time of asking against defending champions River Plate as Vicente Poggi netted a first-half double to secure a comeback 2-1 win.
However, any optimism from that win was soon squashed by a 1-0 loss to Belgrano last time out, leaving Godoy Cruz with a tally of three points from seven games.
As a result, they currently sit bottom but one in the Argentina Primera Division table, and their early struggles can be attributed to a toothless attack which has yielded just four goals so far.
That is currently the second-fewest number in the entire division, and Saturday’s hosts must up the ante at the top end of the pitch if they are to get themselves back on track.
© Imago
Argentinos Juniors made the most of their man advantage against Lanus to claim a 2-0 victory in Tuesday’s meeting at Estadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Maximiliano Romero and Alan Rodriguez both netted in a four-minute salvo at the start of the second half to get the job done for Pablo Guede‘s men.
They now face the challenge of recording consecutive league wins for the first time this term having lost all of their league matches following a win.
Nonetheless, a first league clean sheet since May last time out, as well as their record against Godoy Cruz, will surely offer El Bicho cause for optimism leading up to this weekend’s encounter.
Saturday’s visitors are unbeaten in six straight matches against the home side and amassed four points from a possible six across both of last season’s meetings.
Godoy Cruz Argentine Primera Division form:
Argentinos Juniors Argentine Primera Division form:
Argentinos Juniors form (all competitions):
Team News
© Imago
Juan Cejas remains unavailable for selection having missed each of Godoy Cruz’s last three outings through injury.
Tomas Agustin Pozzo and Braian Salvareschi will also sit out this one, but the former is closing in on making his comeback from a six-month injury layoff.
Vicente Poggi has been directly involved in three of his side’s four goals so far, making the on-loan midfielder one to keep an eye on here.
Thirty-year-old Luciano Sanchez is still sidelined for Argentinos Junior and will not play any part in Saturday’s affair.
Erik Godoy is eligible to feature for the away side once again after serving a one-game suspension in the win over Lanus.
Godoy Cruz possible starting lineup:
Petroli; Luciano, Rasmussen, Barrios, Arce; Poggi, Fernandez, Leyes, Altamira; Pino, Barrea
Argentinos Juniors possible starting lineup:
Rodriguez; Santamaria, Alvarez, Galvan; Vega; Lescano, Gamarra; Herrera, Veron, Rodriguez; Romero
We say: Godoy Cruz 1-1 Argentinos Juniors
Godoy Cruz are yet to find their feet in attack but Argentinos Juniors’ defensive frailties should see the home side register at least once in this one.
That said, we are backing a share of the spoils with honours even at the end of the 90 minutes in Mendoza.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.