Lanus – Defensa y Justicia
Lanús extended their poor run last weekend, when they fought until the end but eventually lost 1-0 away to Boca Juniors after conceding a 93rd-minute goal. El Granate are now winless in three league matches (one draw and two defeats) and remain in the bottom positions of Group A, with seven points after seven rounds of the Torneo Clausura. This poor run also leaves them five points below the final Copa Sudamericana qualification place in the overall standings. At home, Lanús have collected just one point from the last nine available in this competition. Defensa y Justicia continue to grow from game to game. On Monday, Julio Vaccari’s side earned a good 1-0 home win over Platense, with David Martínez scoring in the 75th minute. They are now unbeaten in four league matches (three wins and one draw) and have reached 14 points, moving up to third place in Group A of the Torneo Clausura. El Halcón have also moved to within three points of the final Copa Sudamericana qualification place in the overall standings. Lanus still won’t have playmaker Marcelino Moreno who is injured and they recently sold Dylan Aquino so I expect them to be less dangerous in attack. Defensa has been solid lately and they might even become leaders of Group A with a win, so I’ll trust them not to lose here.