Union – Defensa y Justicia
Union Santa Fe succumbed to a heavy blow last time out, when losing 1-0 away at Newell’s Old Boys in an uneventful game. That defeat displaced them from the Copa Sudamericana spots in the aggregate standings (trailing tenth-placed Defensa y Justicia by two points). Gustavo Munua’s men won only one of their last four league games, drawing one and losing two to accumulate 25 points in 20 rounds. Their home campaign has also been irregular as El Tatengue registered four victories, two draws and four defeats in this tournament.
Defensa y Justicia continue to improve as the season progresses. Through their 3-0 home success over Rosario Central in round 20, the team made it seven league matches unbeaten, winning six and drawing one, and climbed into the last Copa Sudamericana berth in the aggregate table, which seemed unthinkable a few weeks ago. El Halcon also are now occupying fifth spot in the Liga Profesional on 34 points. On the road, Sebastian Beccacece’s men took seven points from the last nine available (having beaten Argentinos Juniors and Racing Club and drawn to Patronato). There are no injury news at Defensa y Justicia for Thursday.
Important game for both that want to reach a Copa Sudamericana spot. Defensa has been scoring easily lately while Union’s defense is one of the worst in the league with 27 goals conceded, so I expect an open game here.
BET: OVER 2.25 @ 2.0
Patronato – Lanus
Patronato suffered a devastating 5-0 away defeat at River Plate in their last league game as they had nothing to do against the league leaders’ offensive power. Therefore, Ivan Delfino’s men claimed only a single win across their last 14 league matches, having drawn six and lost seven in that span. The team earned 20 points in as many games in this competition and as a result they are occupying the penultimate spot of the relegation table. On a positive note, El Patron beat Colon 2-0 in their last home match to stop a five-match winless streak of three draws and two defeats at Estadio Presbitero Grella.
Lanus had to settle for a 1-1 home draw in a hard-fought match against Estudiantes two weeks ago. Even though the team made it five league matches unbeaten (winning two and drawing three) and are now sitting in third spot in the Liga Profesional’s table on 35 points, they have been displaced from the Copa Libertadores’ spots in the aggregate standings following Boca Juniors’ victory at Aldosivi. On the road, Luis Zubeldia’s men are on two consecutive successes, having beaten San Lorenzo and Argentinos Juniors. Striker Jose Sand is available after overcoming Covid-19. Centre back Diego Braghieri, affected by a knee problem, is the only absentee. Jose Sand returns to the XI.
Lanus will have their all time top scorer back after missing the last game (they have the 2nd best attack of the league behind the leaders River Plate), and I also think we should see goals here.
BET: OVER 2.5 @ 1.98
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