Defensa y Justicia – Racing
Defensa y Justicia failed to hold on to their lead in the last league match and had to settle for a 1-1 draw away to Huracán. In fact, they ended up protecting the point, having played the entire second half with ten men. Winless in their last five league games (two draws and three losses), El Halcón remain outside the playoff spots in Group A with 19 points (one behind the eighth-placed team). On the bright side, Defensa have lost just one of their last five home matches in the league, with two wins and two draws. On Thursday, April 24, they lost 3-1 at Ecuador against CD Universidad Católica for Matchday 3 of the Copa Sudamericana. Racing Club took a huge step toward the playoffs last week by defeating CA Central Córdoba 1-0 at home in a direct clash for qualification, with Bruno Zuculini scoring the winner in the first half. La Academia have now claimed three consecutive victories in the Torneo Apertura and climbed to fifth place in Group A with 22 points. In fact, Racing have earned seven of the last 12 available points on the road in this competition. On Tuesday, April 22, they drew 1-1 at Chilean side CSD Colo Colo for Matchday 3 of the Copa Libertadores. Defensa has been too irregular but they will have important midfielder Gaston Togni back from injury and they have to win here because they are 1 point behind the playoff zone and a defeat could almost eliminate them. Racing is a better team but they won’t have the league’s top scorer, Adrian Martinez, who scored 9 of their 23 goals, so I’ll trust the hosts not to lose.