River Plate will be aiming to end a three-match winless run in the Argentine Primera Division when they host Sarmiento at the Estadio Monumental on Sunday night.
Meanwhile, the visitors will be hoping to secure back-to-back away victories against their hosts, having triumphed on their last visit.
Match preview
© Reuters
Defending champions, River Plate, have endured a difficult start to the second phase of the Argentine Primera Division, currently occupying 10th position with 10 points from seven matches.
After winning their opening two games, Los Millonarios have lost three of the past five, registering just one victory in that period.
A 2-1 defeat at struggling Godoy Cruz extended their league winless streak to three matches for Martin Demichelis's side, leaving them five points adrift of the summit.
The record league champions will be keen to swiftly recover from this poor form when they face Sarmiento at home on Sunday, buoyed by their unbeaten home record.
Of the four home matches River Plate have played in the current league campaign, they have won three and drawn one, but they will be wary of their next opponents, against whom they have never triumphed at home, drawing twice and losing once, which was the last time they met at the Estadio Monumental.
Sarmiento quickly rebounded from their defeat to Rosario Central with a 1-0 victory over Racing Club at the Estadio Eva Peron last Wednesday.
It was the third win in seven league matches for Israel Damonte's side, taking their points tally to 10 and increasing their lead over relegation-threatened Tigre in the aggregate table to eight.
Having picked up four points on the road with one win, one draw and one defeat, Verdolaga will be looking to improve that tally by securing a positive result in Buenos Aires.
They will also be aiming to maintain their unbeaten away record against River Plate, which would further distance them from relegation danger in the aggregate table.
Team News
© Reuters
River Plate are set to remain without the services of Gonzalo Martinez, who has been out with a cruciate ligament tear since January.
Agustin Sant'Anna picked up a knee injury in early July, and he is expected to remain sidelined until late August.
Attacking midfielder Claudio Echeverri is away with the Argentine Olympic team and is unavailable for the next couple of weeks.
Sarmiento will remain without central midfielder Federico Paradela who has been sidelined with a cruciate ligament tear since January.
Goalkeeper Jeronimo Pourtau is also unavailable for selection due to an injury he picked in the early parts of this month.
River Plate possible starting lineup:
Armani; Simon, Gattoni, P. Diaz, E. Diaz; Biafore, Aliendro; Colidio, Mastantuono, Solari; Borja
Sarmiento possible starting lineup:
Acosta; Lopez, Parades, Insaurralde, Arismendi; Mendez, Garcia; Gho, Burgoa, Gudino; Naya
We say: River Plate 1-1 Sarmiento
Sarmiento have history and momentum in their favour for this one, despite River Plate's impressive record on home soil in the current campaign.
The visitors have also been decent on the road in the current campaign, which is why we think this match will likely end with the spoils shared.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
