Aiming to break into the top four of the Argentine Primera Division second-phase table, Argentinos Juniors will travel to take on Gimnasia in the ninth round of group fixtures on Thursday.
With six games to play, the visitors sit just a point outside of the quarter-final qualification places, while their hosts are four points worse off in 13th spot in the group.
Match preview
© Reuters
Gimnasia headed into the second phase of the Argentine Primera Division campaign on the back of a tough end to the regular season, as they eventually finished 22nd in the top flight with 30 points from their 27 outings.
They have not enjoyed a fast start in the second phase group either, as El Lobo find themselves on just eight points from their eight games so far, having initially started in mid-August with three consecutive defeats at the hands of Talleres, Colon and Independiente.
That run triggered Sebastian Romero's departure, and new manager Leonardo Madelon was able to inspire an initial upturn last month as his first three games at the helm produced six points through 2-1 victories over Velez Sarsfield and Rosario Central either side of a defeat away at Huracan, but they have been unable to build a strong top-four bid since, only managing draws in each of their last two outings heading into Thursday.
El Lobo firstly travelled to take on Estudiantes and left with a point from a goalless stalemate, before most recently meeting Instituto and drawing 1-1 thanks to an injury-time goal, as Ivo Mammini forced a share of the points in the 92nd minute after Brahian Cuello looked to have won it for their hosts early in the second half.
While Madelon's men may be on a high from that dramatic draw, they do remain 13th in their group and five points behind the quarter-final spots with just six games to go, meaning Gimnasia have plenty of work to do if they are to stand a chance of progressing and will be desperate to make a return to winning ways on Thursday to give their hopes a boost.
© Reuters
In their way stand an Argentinos Juniors side who have their sights set on returning to the top four, having faltered in recent weeks after their 10th-placed finish in the regular top-flight campaign with 40 points, just five and six fewer than fourth-placed Lanus and third-placed San Lorenzo respectively.
They certainly made a positive start to the group stage in August, beginning with a 3-2 beating of first-phase winners River Plate at home, before bouncing back from a defeat to Arsenal Sarandi and a draw against Atletico Tucuman with back-to-back triumphs over Banfield and Talleres in mid-September.
Those victories left Gabriel Milito's side in a strong position on 10 points from their opening five outings, but they have been unable to add another notch to their wins column in three attempts since, firstly losing 3-1 away at Colon despite going ahead early through Luciano Gondou and leading until half time.
El Bicho now head into the ninth round of matches on the back of consecutive goalless stalemates in the group, initially sharing the points away at Platense before most recently hosting second-placed Independiente and taking a creditable share of the spoils as that match also finished level.
As a result of their slight dip, Argentinos Juniors have dropped out of the quarter-final spots and down to sixth position, but with Velez Sarsfield, Colon and Huracan all just one point better off with six games to go, they will go in search of a victory on Thursday which could see them quickly return to the top four and strengthen their bid to progress to the knockout rounds.
Team News
© Reuters
In their preferred 4-4-2 shape, Gimnasia's attack should again be led by Cristian Tarragona, who has netted three goals in their second-phase group games thus far after hitting five in 19 appearances in the regular season.
He will likely be joined by Eric Ramirez, who continues his search for a first goal of the campaign after scoring four in the regular term, although Ivo Mammini is also vying for a start having scored their leveller off the bench against Instituto last time out, while Pablo de Blasis and Matias Abaldo should both keep their places on the wings.
Elsewhere, Rodrigo Saravia should continue to anchor the midfield, likely alongside Agustin Bolivar, while Leonardo Morales and Yonathan Cabral will again partner up in the middle of the defence.
Argentinos Juniors will likely remain without key forward Gabriel Avalos, who has netted 18 goals in all competitions so far this season, as he looks set to continue a spell on the sidelines.
In his absence, the line will again be led by Luciano Gondou, who has shone in the second phase of the Argentine Primera Division campaign, netting six goals thus far despite their back-to-back 0-0 draws.
Following their latest clean sheet, Marco Di Cesare, Jonathan Galvan and Lucas Villalba should line up in an unchanged back three, while 20-year-old Federico Redondo will anchor the midfield with Leonardo Heredia vying to return from the outset in a more advanced role.
Gimnasia possible starting lineup:
Durso; Enrique, Morales, Cabral, Colazo; De Blasis, Saravia, Bolivar, Abaldo; Tarragona, Ramirez
Argentinos Juniors possible starting lineup:
Arias; Di Cesare, Galvan, Villalba; Cabrera, Redondo, Rodriguez, Montiel; Heredia; Gondou, Gonzalez Metilli
We say: Gimnasia 1-1 Argentinos Juniors
Gimnasia have at least gone three games unbeaten after their tough start, but it is wins they require if they are to stand a chance of moving into the top four, and they meet a tough and resilient Argentinos Juniors side on Thursday.
We anticipate both sides extending runs of draws and sharing the spoils in the ninth round of games, leaving both outside of the quarter-final places with five matches to go.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
