Independiente Rivadavia – Estudiantes de Rio Cuarto
Independiente Rivadavia paid the price for an unexpected rotation by head coach Alfredo Berti and lost 2-1 away to Sarmiento, who had not picked up a point in the tournament before Monday’s match. As a result, La Lepra remain on four points after three rounds of the Torneo Clausura and have won just one of their last five league matches (two draws and two defeats). They remain top of the overall standings, although their advantage over Argentinos Juniors is now only on goal difference. Independiente have won four and lost one of their last five home matches in domestic competitions. Estudiantes Río Cuarto are competing much better than they did in the first half of the season, although they still need to collect a huge number of points to have any chance of avoiding relegation. On Saturday, Rubén Forestello’s side drew 0-0 at home to Banfield in an entertaining contest. As a result, El León del Imperio have four points from the opening three rounds of the Torneo Clausura, a respectable campaign so far, but their poor performance in the Apertura means they remain bottom of both the overall standings and the relegation averages. They have won just one of their last 12 league matches (two draws and nine defeats). Estudiantes are also winless in their last 12 league matches on the road, recording three draws and nine defeats. Estudiantes de Rio Cuarto is the other team that will be relegated in December unless they somehow start winning games. They were able to get only 9 points in 19 games so far this season and it seems impossible for them to turn this around. Independiente Rivadavia will have back their starters and I expect them to win here.