Having locked horns in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores, Velez Sarsfield and River Plate face off in round eight of the Argentine Primera Division on Sunday.
Los Millonarios were condemned to a 1-0 aggregate defeat in the continental matchup and will head into the weekend looking to get one over Alexander Medina's side.
Match preview
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Velez Sarsfield continue to struggle for results on the road as they fell to a somewhat disappointing 2-1 defeat at the hands of 10-man Colon last Monday.
After Diego Gomez and Facundo Garces scored for either side to end the first half level, Ramon Abila struck in the 53rd minute to put the Sabalero ahead before Ignacio Chicco made a vital stop to deny Lucas Janson an equaliser from the spot in the 80th minute.
This followed a goalless draw away to River Plate in the second leg of their Copa Libertadores clash which saw them secure a place in the quarter-finals thanks to a 1-0 victory in June's reverse leg.
Velez Sarsfield have picked up one win, two draws and lost four of their seven games so far to collect five points and sit 25th in the Primera Division standings, one point and three places above rock-bottom Aldosivi.
Their slow start to the season has been in no small part owing to their lack of sting at the attacking end of the pitch, where they have scored just five goals so far — with only Aldosivi, Talleres and Rosario Central scoring fewer.
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River Plate, on the other hand, kept their Copa Argentina title hopes alive last time out when they claimed a comfortable 3-0 victory against Barracas Central in the round of 32.
In a game where David Martinez received his marching orders, Milton Casco opened the scoring in the 21st minute before Agustin Palavecino scored a second-half brace to cap off a fine individual performance.
River Plate now turn their sights to the Primera Division, where they are currently on a two-game losing streak, suffering defeats at the hands of Huracan and Godoy Cruz respectively.
With eight points from a possible 21, Marcelo Gallardo's men are currently 17th in the league standings but could rise as high as 11th place with all three points this weekend.
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Team News
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Velez Sarsfield will take to the pitch without the services of 28-year-old defender Lautaro Giannetti, who has been sidelined since April through injury.
Brazilian youngster Lenny Lobato is also out of contention for the hosts after picking up a muscle problem in the game against Estudiantes on May 24.
Meanwhile, River Plate will take to the pitch without the services of Martinez and 31-year-old midfielder Rodrigo Aliendro, who are both suspended.
Gallardo will also watch from the stands after picking up a red card in the aforementioned game, meaning assistant manager Matias Biscay will take over the reins this weekend.
On the injury front, Los Millonarios will have to make do with the absence of Enzo Perez, who is set to sit out his second straight game through a hamstring issue.
The defensive duo of Robert Rojas and Franco Paredes will also sit out this weekend's encounter as they are currently recuperating from leg and ACL injuries respectively.
Velez Sarsfield possible starting lineup:
Hoyos; Jara, Godin, Gomez, Ortega; Garayalde, Perrone; Janson, Orellano, Bou; Pratto
River Plate possible starting lineup:
Armani; Mammana, Diaz, Pirez, Casco; Paradela, Quintero, Palavecino; De La Cruz, Romero, Beltran
We say: Velez Sarsfield 1-2 River Plate
Buoyed by their cup win over Barracas Central, River Plate will head into the weekend with renewed confidence as they look to move into the top half of the table. They face a Velez side who have suffered a slump in recent weeks and we predict they will come out victorious on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
