Belgrano – Independiente Rivadavia
Belgrano produced another excellent performance despite being without several players on Monday night, dominating from start to finish to beat Banfield 2-0 away thanks to a brace from Lucas Passerini. The reigning league champions moved onto seven points in the Torneo Clausura, putting them inside the Group B playoff qualification places, while also remaining among the top eight in the overall standings despite not needing to qualify through that route, as they have already secured their place in the next Copa Libertadores. Belgrano have won six and drawn two of their last nine league matches, losing only one. At home, they have three wins and one defeat in their last four. Adrián Sánchez and Franco Vázquez are available for Saturday after serving their suspensions, while Nicolás Fernández returns after missing the last match with flu. Independiente Rivadavia continue to move forward strongly. Last weekend, La Lepra produced an excellent second-half performance to beat Estudiantes Río Cuarto 2-1 at home, with Alex Arce scoring twice in the final 20 minutes. Independiente Rivadavia have seven points in the Torneo Clausura, with two wins, one draw and one defeat. However, their main focus in the league is the overall standings, where they remain top, advantaging second-placed Argentinos Juniors by goal difference. Independiente lost 2-1 to Sarmiento in their last league match on the road, ending a nine-match unbeaten run in that condition (five wins and four draws). Before their next Torneo Clausura match, Independiente drew 0-0 away at Fluminense on Tuesday, August 11, for the first leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16. Independiente Rivadavia are making history, playing Copa Libertadores for the first time ever where they are in the. Round of 16 and with a very good chance of advancing to the Quarterfinals after their draw at Brazil vs Fluminense. Their minds are fully on that game and they will use a reserves lineup here so I expect Belgrano to take advantage of this and win.