Estudiantes vs Belgrano
Estudiantes’ performance in the league is starting to decline. Last week, the team suffered a devastating 2-1 defeat against Barracas Central (playing as visitors at Sarandí Arsenal) after conceding the decisive goal just two minutes before the final whistle. El Pincha are now winless in their last three matches in the competition (one draw and two losses). However, they have accumulated 19 points, which keeps them within the playoff qualification zone in Group A. On a positive note, Eduardo Domínguez’s team remain unbeaten in their last six home league games, with four wins and two draws. On Tuesday, April 1, Estudiantes won 2-0 at Venezuela’s Carabobo FC for the first match of the Copa Libertadores group stage. Belgrano put in a respectable performance in a heated derby against Talleres last Sunday but had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home. As a result, El Pirata extended their winless streak in the league to four matches (three draws and one loss). The team accumulated 11 points from the same number of matches in the Torneo Apertura, leaving them closer to the relegation zone in the overall standings (four points away) than to the playoff spots in Group B (six points behind). Additionally, Belgrano struggled away from home, earning just two points from their last 18 available. Lucas Zelarayan succumbed to a hand fracture and is unavailable. Estudiantes comes from a long trip and solid win at Venezuela and next Tuesday they play Copa Libertadores again, so they are expected to use a mixed lineup here that for sure won’t have striker Guido Carrillo, injured, and defenders Sebastian Boselli and Santiago Arzamendia, suspended. Also next week they have the big derby against Gimnasia so I can’t see them taking any risks here, and Belgrano should be able to take at least a draw.