Two sides in need of a pick-me-up in the Argentine Primera Division go head to head on Sunday when Tigre play host to Estudiantes at the Estadio Jose Dellagiovanna.

Ricardo Zielinsky's side head into the weekend fresh off the back of crashing out of the Copa Argentina and will look to clean the dust off their feet and return to winning ways.

Match preview

Tigre continue to struggle in the early stages of the 2022-23 Primera Division campaign as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Argentinos Juniors on Tuesday.

In a heated matchup where both sides finished with 10 men, Gaston Veron and Javier Cabrera netted in an 11-minute spell to put El Bicho ahead before Mateo Retegui pulled one back from the spot in the 34th minute.

Diego Martinez's side have now failed to taste victory in any of their last six matches, picking up three draws and losing three games since a 2-1 win at Union in this season's curtain-raiser on June 5.

This poor run has been owing to their struggles on the defensive fronts, where they are yet to keep a clean sheet and have shipped 12 goals so far — with only Aldosivi, Boca Juniors and Union conceding more.

Tigre have picked up one win, three draws and lost three of their seven games to collect six points and sit 24th in the Primera Division standings, two points above rock-bottom Aldosivi.

Estudiantes suffered a disappointing round-of-32 exit from the Copa Argentina last time out when they were beaten 1-0 by second-tier Belgrano.

In a cagey affair at the Estadio 15 de Abril, former Platense forward Joaquin Susvielles came up trumps for the Primera Nacional side as he made no mistakes from 12 yards out shortly after the hour mark.

With their cup dreams now over, Estudiantes now turn their attention to the Primera Division, where they are currently on a four-game winless run, picking up one point from a possible 12 since June's 2-1 victory over Sarmiento.

With eight points from seven games, the La Plata outfit are currently 19th in the league standings, but could rise as high as 12th place with all three points this weekend.

Team News

Tigre will take to the pitch without the services of Abel Luciatti, who is currently suspended after picking up a red card against Argentinos Juniors on Tuesday.

In the absence of the 29-year-old defender, Nicolas Demartini could be handed just his fifth start of the season, forming a centre-back partnership with former CF Montreal man Victor Cabrera.

With his strike against El Bicho last time out, Retegui now has four goals in seven league appearances, and we expect the Boca Juniors loanee to lead the attack this weekend.

As for Estudiantes, Zielinski will be unable to call upon the services of Ezequiel Munoz, who has been out of action since March through a severe knee problem.

Following his side's lethargic attacking display against Belgrano, the 62-year-old head coach could make some changes up top, with former River Plates forward Benjamin Rollheiser among those who will push for a starting role.

Tigre possible starting lineup:
Roffo; Blondel, Cabrera, Demartini, Prieto; Menossi, Fernandez, Castro; Protti, Colidio, Retegui

Estudiantes possible starting lineup:
Andujar; Godoy, Rogel, Lollo, Noguera; Mas, Castro, Rodriguez; Zuqui, Zapiola, Diaz

We say: Tigre 1-1 Estudiantes

Tigre and Estudiantes have struggled for results in recent weeks and we expect them to take the game to each other in search of a morale-boosting win. However, they head into the weekend in similar form and we predict they will cancel out each other's efforts and settle for a share of the spoils.

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