Round six of the 2024 Argentine Primera Division sees Defensa y Justicia welcome Boca Juniors to Estadio Norberto Tito Tomaghello on Sunday.
Both teams had to make do with a share of the spoils in their respective most recent outings and will be looking to go one better in this one.
Match preview
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Boca Juniors played out a goalless draw against Ecuadorian outfit Independiente del Valle at Estadio Banco Guayaquil on Thursday.
Diego Martinez's men had their backs against the wall for large spells of the contest and had their goalkeeper to thank for coming away unscathed.
That snapped a two-match winning run for La Mitad Mas Uno - the first of which was a 1-0 triumph over Velez Sarsfield which saw them move up to 14th in the league standings.
Picking up just three points from as many league matches on the road so far, Sunday's visitors will need to improve their away form if they are to put up a sustainable title charge this term.
Defensa y Justicia played out a second straight stalemate as they held Atletico Tucuman to a 1-1 draw at Estadio Monumental Jose Fierro on June 16.
Francisco Meneghini's men fell behind to Renzo Tesuri's opener in the 13th minute before getting themselves back on level terms through Aaron Molinas.
Consequently, El Halcon have dropped to 25th in the Argentine Primera Division table, just two points ahead of the bottom three despite playing one game more.
Next up is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have lost just one of the last nine editions of this fixture across all competitions since 2019.
Having failed to score in both of their last two outings on home turf, Sunday's hosts will need to up the ante at the top end of the pitch to stand any chance of emerging victorious here.
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Team News
Defensa's David Barbona has been sidelined since the turn of the year due to a knee injury and is not available for selection.
Gaston Togni is also out of contention for the home side, although he is drawing increasingly closer to a return to action.
Julian Lopez's involvement here remains doubtful after the midfielder was forced off with an injury scare against Atletico Tucuman last time out.
Uruguayan Edinson Cavani was sent off in his last league outing for Boca Juniors and will serve a one-game suspension in this one.
The away side will also be without the services of 27-year-old Lucas Blondel, who has spent over three months on the sidelines through a knee problem.
Defensa y Justicia possible starting lineup:
Fiermarin; Alanis, Ramos, Tripichio, Cannavo; Molinas, Lopez, Gutierrez, Lucero; Fernandez, Herrera
Boca Juniors possible starting lineup:
Romero; Blanco, Rojo, Di Lollo, Advincula; Ceballos, Delgado, Benitez, Saralegui; Merentiel, Janson
We say: Defensa y Justicia 1-2 Boca Juniors
The teams have endured relatively underwhelming starts to the season, but a win here could be the catalyst for an upturn in form. We are tipping Boca Juniors to come out on top in what should be a keenly-contested affair.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
