Gimnasia vs Racing
Gimnasia LP closed the 2025 season with a major disappointment, losing 1-0 at home to arch-rivals Estudiantes and being eliminated in the Torneo Clausura semi-finals. That defeat also ended a five-match winning streak, which had helped them recover in what was otherwise a difficult year, finishing 19th in the annual standings and moving clear of relegation danger. Interim coach Fernando Zaniratto was confirmed in the role for new season. Home form remains a concern, as El Lobo lost four and won only one of their last five matches at the Juan Carmelo Zerillo. In the transfer market, the most significant news has been the returns of midfielders Ignacio Fernández (River Plate) and Ignacio Miramón (Boca Juniors). Racing Club enjoyed a strong 2025 campaign but fell short of silverware. They reached the Torneo Clausura final, losing on penalties to Estudiantes after a 1-1 draw, were eliminated in the Copa Libertadores semi-finals by eventual champions Flamengo, and finished fifth in the annual table, securing qualification for the 2026 Copa Sudamericana. Gustavo Costas’ side arrive in excellent league form, currently on a 13-match unbeaten run (eight wins and five draws in regulation time), and have gone five consecutive away league matches without defeat, recording four wins and one draw. Racing strengthened their squad with the arrivals of Valentín Carboni (CFC Genoa, Italy) and Matko Miljevic (Huracán). Racing’s attack can only get better with new arrivals Carboni and Miljevic, same for Gimnasia with veteran playmaker Ignacio Fernandez so two goals should be definitely possible here.