Seeking to make it two wins from two and move top of the Primera Division standings, Boca Juniors visit the Estadio Islas Malvinas to face Barracas Central on Sunday.
Los Camioneros, who have failed to win any of their last three outings, will be looking to pick up their first win of the season and get their campaign up and running.
Match preview
© Reuters
Barracas Central were denied their first win of the season on Wednesday when they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Union at the Estadio Islas Malvinas.
Jonathan Alvez and Emanuel Britez scored in a four-minute spell to put the visitors in front heading into the half-time break before Fernando Valenzuela pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 69th minute.
Prior to that, Alfredo Berti's men were held to a 1-1 draw by Central Cordoba in their season's curtain-raiser on June 4 before playing out a similar 1-1 draw at Tigre one week later.
Barracas Central's early struggles have come at the defensive end of the pitch as they have conceded four goals and dropped four points from winning positions already.
© Reuters
Boca Juniors, on the other hand, returned to winning ways in style as they saw off a resilient Tigre side 5-3 at the Estadio Islas Malvinas last time out.
The attacking duo of Exequiel Zeballos and Dario Benedetto put on a show in front of the home crowd as they scored two goals respectively to put the visitors to the sword.
Prior to that, the Xeneizes saw their 10-game unbeaten run come to an end on June 13 when they fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Central Cordoba courtesy of Francisco Metilli's first-half strike.
Sebastian Battaglia's men have now won two and lost one of their opening three games to sit fourth in the league standings, one point and three spots off first-placed Platense.
Boca Juniors head into the weekend on a run of five wins from their last six outings across all competitions, scoring 12 goals and conceding five in that time.
- D
- D
- L
- L
- W
- W
- D
- D
- L
- W
- L
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Barracas Central will take to the pitch without Juan Ignacio Diaz after the 26-year-old suffered a sprained knee against Godoy Cruz back in March.
With his strike against Union last time out, Valenzuela has now scored three goals in his last four outings and we expect the 25-year-old to spearhead the attack once again.
Boca Juniors' injury list is more hefty by comparison as the likes of Eduardo Salvio (muscle), Norberto Briasco (ankle) and Diego Gonzalez all continue their spells on the sidelines.
Veteran defender Luis Advincula missed the game against Tigre last time out, while 22-year-old Agustin Almendra has been out of action since February through a muscle problem.
Peru defender Carlos Zambrano is also a doubt for the visitors after picking up a knock while on international duty against Australia on June 13.
Barracas Central possible starting lineup:
Saracho; Mater, Ferreyra, Paz, Calderara; Blanco, Glaby; Mouche, Tapia, Bandiera; Sepulveda
Boca Juniors possible starting lineup:
Rossi; Weigandt, Izquierdoz, Rojo, Fabra; Villa, Fernandez, Varela, Molinas, Zeballos; Benedetto
We say: Barracas Central 1-2 Boca Juniors
Off the back of a resounding victory over Tigre, Boca Juniors will head into the game with sky-high confidence as they look to strengthen their position in the upper echelons of the table. The visitors have stumbled into the season and we predict their struggles will continue this weekend with the visitors claiming all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
