Godoy Cruz vs Deportivo Riestra
Godoy Cruz are living through their most dramatic moment in years. Last Sunday, the team put in a poor performance and lost 2-1 away to Atlético Tucumán, dropping into the relegation zone on the aggregate table. El Tomba, who sit bottom of Group B with 11 points and are winless in eight league matches (five draws and three defeats), no longer depend on themselves to stay up: they must beat Deportivo Riestra and hope that Aldosivi fail to win in order to force a playoff match against either Aldosivi or San Martín SJ (depending on whether that match ends in a draw or an away win). Otherwise, they will be relegated after 17 years in the top flight. Godoy Cruz have yet to win at home this semester, with five draws and two defeats.
Deportivo Riestra let a golden opportunity slip away last Monday, losing 1-0 at home to Independiente after conceding in the fifth minute of stoppage time — a result that also ended their remarkable 27-match unbeaten run at home. Following their second straight defeat, El Malevo have 27 points in Group B and are already qualified for the Torneo Clausura playoffs, but they dropped to fifth in the aggregate table and are now almost out of contention for a Copa Libertadores berth. If they win and River Plate fail to do so, they will finish fourth, pending the possible opening of an extra spot depending on who wins the Clausura. Riestra lost 1-0 to San Lorenzo in their most recent away match, snapping a four-game unbeaten streak on the road (two wins and two draws).
If Godoy Cruz doesn’t win they will be relegated, and even if they do but Aldosivi wins they will also play next season in the 2nd division, so there’s no room here to speculate and they have to go all in so 2 goals look definitely possible against Riestra who will try to win to finish 2nd in their group.