Rosario Central vs Estudiantes

Rosario Central and Estudiantes are set to square off at the Estadio Gigante de Arroyito in a tasty-looking Liga Professional encounter.

Rosario Central’s form woes continued last weekend as a 1-0 defeat at San Lorenzo marked their third consecutive Primera Divison fixture without winning (D2, L1). But even though their most recent league triumph dates back to early June – courtesy of a 4-1 thumping of Instituto at home – the hosts still boast a three-point lead on 10th-placed Argentinos Juniors. While that keeps them safe in the race to secure Copa Sudamericana qualification, a six-point deficit on third-placed San Lorenzo puts them at risk of missing out on Copa Libertadores action next term. Playing at the Estadio Gigante de Arroyito should help as they head into proceedings as one of only two Liga Professional sides yet to lose at home this season (W8, D3).

In other circumstances, Estudiantes would be a potential candidate to shatter Rosario’s home fortress, but a three-game winless league streak (D2, L1) tells a different story. Moreover, the visitors haven’t won any of their last three Primera Division away matches (D2, L1), failing to get on the scoresheet in the most recent two. Therefore, Estudiantes’ hopes of posting their first top-flight victory at Rosario since 2002 look far-fetched, especially considering they’ve lost six of their last 11 league visits to ‘Canalla’ (D5). A single point from three away league outings in which they’ve conceded first this season (D1, L2) suggests a slow start would likely extend their winless drought.