Lanus vs Velez
Lanús put up a respectable performance in their visit to River Plate last Sunday but ultimately fell 1-0 after conceding a late goal. Thus, their three-match unbeaten streak in the league (two wins and one draw) came to an end, and they also dropped out of the Group B playoff zone, now sitting in ninth place with seven points, just behind eighth-placed Atlético Tucumán due to goal difference. However, Lanús have been strong at home, losing just one of their last seven matches in this competition (three wins and three draws).
Vélez Sarsfield continue to endure a nightmare. Last Monday, the reigning Argentine football champions suffered a devastating 2-0 home defeat against Godoy Cruz in a match where they had two goals disallowed and hit the post twice. As a result, they now sit at the bottom of Group B with just one point from six matches (one draw and five losses) and have yet to score a goal in the Torneo Apertura. Additionally, Velez haven’t won as the visiting side in nine matches (four draws and five losses). Imanol Machuca remains the most significant absence due to injury.
Velez just can’t catch a break and coach Sebastian Dominguez is very close to lose his job. They are the defending champions but they have only 1 point and 0 goals scored after 6 games and I can’t see how they will improve with this poor squad so I have to trust Lanus at these odds.