Gimnasia vs Estudiantes
Gimnasia LP continues to decline week after week. Last week, the team failed to take advantage of Talleres’ squad rotation and suffered a deserved 2-0 defeat on the road. After five league matches without a win (two draws and three losses), El Lobo dropped out of the playoff zone and remains on 12 points, now outside the top 8 on goal difference. However, Gimnasia are unbeaten in their last four home matches, with two wins and two draws. Team captain Gastón Suso returns from suspension. Estudiantes are going through a rough patch in the league. This past weekend, the team delivered a poor performance and suffered a 1-0 home defeat against Belgrano, extending their winless streak in the Torneo Apertura to four matches, with just one point taken from a possible 12. Despite this slump, El Pincha remain in the playoff zone of Group A with 19 points, although they have also lost their last two away matches in the competition. Looking ahead to the Copa Libertadores, Estudiantes lost 2-1 at home over Universidad de Chile on Tuesday, April 8, for Matchday 2 of the tournament. For the upcoming La Plata derby, the team will be boosted by the return of Guido Carrillo and Santiago Arzamendia, who have both served their suspensions. Biggest game of the tournament for both as this is their big city derby. Gimnasia might be forced to win to stay alive in the race to secure a playoff place, while Estudiantes are hanging to one of those spots despite some poor performances recently. One goal should open things up as a defeat would be really bad for both but a draw is not good enough for the hosts, so two goals look definitely possible.