Boca vs Union
Boca Juniors confirmed their excellent form with an authoritative 2-0 away win over San Lorenzo, collecting three important points through goals from Leandro Lozano and Miguel Merentiel. El Xeneize extended their unbeaten run in the Clausura to nine matches, with four wins and five draws, and remain fifth in Group A with 17 points. They have also moved into the Copa Libertadores qualification places in the annual table, overtaking Argentinos Juniors on goal difference to move into third. As hosts, Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s men have collected ten of the 12 points available to them in the Clausura. Last Sunday, Boca beat Racing Club 3-2 in the Copa Argentina quarter-finals. Goalkeeper Álvaro Montero will miss Friday’s match due to his international commitments with Colombia. Unión Santa Fe could not hold on to their lead and eventually suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Independiente, with several negative consequences for El Tatengue. It was their second consecutive defeat in the Clausura, pushing them out of the playoff qualification places in Group A. They remain on 13 points, three behind eighth-placed Newell’s Old Boys. Leonardo Madelón’s side also lost significant ground in the race for a place in next season’s Copa Sudamericana. They are now seven points behind the final qualification spot in the annual table, with only six rounds remaining. Away, Unión have lost four of their last six matches, with one win and one draw during that stretch. Boca are going through their best moment in the last few years, confirmed last weekend when they came back from 0-2 to beat Racing 3-2 in the Copa Argentina Quarterfinals and they should be able to beat this poor Union who are almost eliminated from the playoffs.