River Plate will be looking to extend their 10-point lead at the summit of the Argentine Primera Division when they face Barracas Central at Estadio Claudi Chiqui Tapia on Saturday.
At the opposite end of the table, Barracas Central find themselves in 20th place – 26 points behind River Plate – having managed to win just five of their 21 league outings this term.
Match preview
© Reuters
Barracas Central held Racing Club to a 1-1 draw in their previous match, with Francisco Alvarez scoring the equaliser in the 85th minute following Nicolas Capraro's 72nd-minute red card.
Consequently, Los Camioneros enter Saturday's showdown on a three-game winless run, having suffered a 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Estudiantes before playing out a goalless stalemate with Rosaria Central.
Not only have Rodolfo de Paoli's men drawn each of their last two matches, but they have also drawn four of their previous six, while no team has recorded more stalemates than Barracas Central's nine this season.
Thanks to those draws, Los Camioneros have lost just one of their last eight league encounters, picking up two wins and five draws in the process, although they have only managed to win three of their previous 16 outings.
© Reuters
River Plate booked their place in the Copa Libertadores knockout phase with a 2-0 victory over Bolivian side The Strongest in midweek, courtesy of goals from Rodrigo Aliendro and Miguel Borja.
As a result, Los Millonarios head into Saturday's clash on a six-game winning streak across all competitions, with three clean sheets coming in their previous four outings, highlighting their defensive solidity.
Better still, River Plate have avoided defeat in each of their last nine matches, notching seven wins and two draws along the way, so they will be confident of maintaining their unbeaten run when they face lowly Barracas Central.
When you look at the bigger picture, Martin Demichelis's men have lost just three of their 21 Primera Division clashes this season, picking up 16 wins and two draws, and they also boast the best offensive record in the league.
There is absolutely no denying that River Plate have been the strongest team in Argentina this year, as they find themselves 10 points clear at the summit of the table, with arch-rivals Boca Juniors sitting 22 points behind in 14th place.
Team News
© Reuters
Barracas Central are still without long-term absentee Lucas Lopez, who made just two appearances at the beginning of the campaign before sustaining a serious ligament injury.
The hosts will also be without the suspended Nicolas Capraro this weekend after he picked up a red card last time out, with Nicolas Tolosa expected to partner Francisco Alvarez at centre-back.
As for River Plate, defensive midfielder Bruno Zuculini remains sidelined due to a cruciate ligament injury, although the visitors have reported no fresh injury problems ahead of Saturday's showdown.
With 13 goals and three assists to his name this season, Lucas Beltran will continue to lead the line for River Plate, while Esequiel Barco will aim to enhance his tally of seven goals and four assists.
Barracas Central possible starting lineup:
Desabato; Peinipil, Alvarez, Tolosa, Diaz; Herrara; Mater, Tapia, Insua, Calderara; Sepulveda
River Plate possible starting lineup:
Armani; Casco, Rojas, P. Diaz, E. Diaz; Perez, Aliendro; De La Cruz, Fernandez, Barco; Beltran
We say: Barracas Central 1-3 River Plate
High-flying River Plate look destined to notch a seventh successive victory at the expense of Barracas Central, who have struggled for consistency throughout the campaign.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
