Boca vs Rosario Central
Boca Juniors struggled more than expected in their last league match, securing a 2-1 home victory over newly promoted Aldosivi thanks to a Miguel Merentiel goal in the 84th minute. With this result, Fernando Gago’s team achieved their third consecutive win in the Torneo Apertura, reaching 14 points. This solidifies their position within the playoff zone and puts them just one point behind the leaders of Group A, Tigre, Estudiantes and Argentinos Juniors. Additionally, Boca remain unbeaten in their last ten home matches in this competition (seven wins and three draws). On Tuesday, they lost on penalties to Peruvian side Alianza Lima after a 2-1 home win in the return leg of the Copa Libertadores second stage. Alan Velasco succumbed to an ankle problem and will miss out. Tomas Belmonte remains sidelined.
Rosario Central did not show their best version last Saturday, but they did enough to secure a 1-0 home victory over Sarmiento, with Agustín Sandez scoring in the sixth minute. El Canalla remain leaders of Group B with 17 points, one above Independiente. In fact, Ariel Holan’s team extended their unbeaten league streak to eight matches (six wins and two draws). Additionally, Central collected eight out of 12 possible points on the road in 2025, winning two and drawing two. Gaspar Duarte is ready to return after suffering muscle overload just minutes before the last match.
Less than 72 hrs before this game Boca suffered one of their most humiliating eliminations, in the 2nd qualifying stage of Copa Libertadores they won but lost in the penalties shootout and their fans couldn’t be angrier. Coach Fernando Gago held to his position for now but any bad result will make him leave. Rosario Central are still undefeated, playing solid football and leading Group B, so they are an obvious bet here to avoid a defeat.