Still licking their wounds from their Copa Argentina exit, Independiente Rivadavia take on Union at the Estadio Bautista Gargantini in round four of the Argentine Primera Division on Tuesday night.
While both sides have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the league campaign, the visitors head into the midweek tie as firm favourites, having won each of their previous three encounters since September 2014.
Match preview
Independiente Rivadavia were dumped out of the Copa Argentina in the round of 32 as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Banfield at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes on Thursday.
The home side were made to rue their wasteful display at the attacking end of the pitch as Bruno Sepulveda and Milton Gimenez scored in either half to put Banfield into a comfortable lead before Victorio Ramis pulled one back in the 71st minute.
Independiente Rivadavia now turn their attention to the Primera Division, where they have flown out of the blocks in what has been a solid return to the top flight, picking up seven points from their opening three matches.
Having secured promotion from the second tier following a first-placed finish in Group B, Martin Cicotello's men have beaten Lanus and Sarmiento so far, with a goalless draw against Godoy Cruz on May 18 sandwiched between the two victories.
The Azul del Parque's impressive start to life in the big leagues has been owing to their defensive sturdiness as they have kept three clean sheets in their opening three matches and are the only side yet to concede a goal.
Union, on the other hand, continued with their strong early-season form as they picked up a comfortable 2-0 victory over Barracas Central on home turf last Monday.
Twenty-year-old Joaquin Mosqueira broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time before Jeronimo Domina struck in the 94th minute to put the result beyond reach and hand Barracas their first league defeat of the season.
Prior to that, Kily Gonzalez's men kicked off the league campaign with a 1-0 victory over Banfield on May 15 courtesy of a late winner from Jeronimo Domina, five days before playing out a 1-1 draw with 10-man Instituto Cordoba.
Union head into Wednesday's game unbeaten in all but one of their eight competitive away matches since the turn of the year — claiming three wins and four draws — with a 2-1 defeat against Defensa y Justicia on March 10 being the exception.
The Tatengue will be backing themselves to pick up back-to-back victories for the first time since March on Wednesday as they take on an opposing side who have lost each of their last three meetings, conceding seven goals and scoring once since a 1-1 draw in May 2014.
Team News
Independiente will be without centre-back Francisco Petrasso, who is currently suspended after picking up a late red card in the cup game against Banfield last time out.
On the injury front, the home side will take to the pitch without the defensive duo of Rufino Lucero and 35-year-old Bruno Bianchi, who continue their spells on the sidelines.
Experienced striker Federico Castro has missed each of the last four matches since coming off injured against Velez Sarsfield back in April and will play no part in Wednesday's game.
Patricio Tanda and 24-year-old defender Francisco Gerometta have been sidelined through muscle and knee injuries respectively and are out of contention for a Union.
They are joined on the club's injury table by 20-year-old midfielder Mateo Del Blanco, who has missed each of the last nine matches through an ankle injury.
Independiente Rivadavia possible starting lineup:
Marinelli; Palacios, Petrasso, Maidana; Diaz, Ham, Rios, Romero, Ostchega; Reali, Asenjo
Union possible starting lineup:
Cardozo; Pardo, Paz, Corvalan; Vera, Mosqueira, Pitton, Diale, Pitton; Orsini, Balboa
We say: Independiente Rivadavia 1-2 Union
Independiente and Union have enjoyed a solid start to the season and will be looking to keep the juggernaut rolling. However, Cicotello's men have failed to win their last four matches in all competitions and we see them struggling once again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
