Lanus – Deportivo Riestra
In the context of an inconsistent year, Lanús secured qualification for the 2025 Copa Sudamericana after finishing 11th in the aggregate league table, thanks to a 3-3 draw against Barracas Central away from home. In fact, El Granate are unbeaten in their last eight league matches, with four wins and four draws. They are also undefeated in their last four home games in this competition, with two wins and two draws. However, coach Ricardo Zielinski has left his position. His replacement is Mauricio Pellegrino, who arrives with promising signings such as Agustín Cardozo (from Tigre) and Sasha Marcich (from Platense). Julio Soler (sold to AFC Bournemouth, England) is the most significant loss during this transfer window. Ending the year with a valuable 0-0 draw against Independiente Rivadavia as visitors, Deportivo Riestra completed a more than acceptable campaign in their debut season in the top division, earning 48 points in 41 matches. Now it’s time to consolidate. For that reason, although 11 new players have joined and seven have left, the team has kept its core structure. Alan Barrionuevo (who transferred to Tigre) is the only regular starter no longer on the roster, and Juan Cruz Randazzo arrived from Mushuc Runa (Ecuador) to take his place. Riestra looks pretty much the same as last year with the same coach and players, Lanus will need to adapt to a new coach and this should take time. I expect the visitors to play a tight game and coming from more than a month without real matches, we should have a slow and boring game so I’ll go for the UNDER.