Argentinos Jrs vs Instituto
Argentinos Juniors continue to play high-flying football. Last week, the team were outstanding and crushed Estudiantes 4-0 at home—and they could’ve scored even more. El Bicho are now unbeaten in six league matches (three wins and three draws) and finished first in Group A with 33 points. In fact, Argentinos have won three straight games at home.
Instituto pulled off a comeback win away to Talleres last weekend, earning a 2-1 victory thanks to a goal from Damián Puebla in the 80th minute. They took advantage of Godoy Cruz’s defeat to claim the final playoff spot. La Gloria lost just one of their last four matches in the competition (two wins and one draw), reaching 18 points to finish eighth in Group B. The win also ended a 15-match winless streak on the road (three draws and 12 losses). Matías Godoy is suspended after receiving a red card last time out, and Fernando Alarcón is also banned due to yellow card accumulation.
Argentinos Jrs played the best football of the regular season and finished it with a solid 4-0 against Estudiantes last week, their rival Instituto were lucky to advance thanks to a late win so it would be a huge surprise if the best team doesn’t make it at least to the Quarterfinals, especially considering they are playing at home this one leg series.