Argentinian top-flight leaders Deportivo Riestra are set to host Velez Sarsfield at Estadio Guillermo Laza on Monday in their 22nd game of the league season.
The hosts are ninth with 30 points after 21 matchweeks and drew 0-0 with Club Atletico Platense on November 8, while the away side are first in the Argentine Primera Division with 42 points and beat Tigre 1-0 on Friday.
Match preview
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Monday's home team created very little during their match against Club Atletico Platense, producing just three shots and accumulating only 28% possession.
Deportivo Riestra have in fact averaged the lowest possession of any of the 28 teams in the top flight, with their figure of 31.8% less than half that of River Plate's average of 66.1%, the highest in the Argentine Primera Division.
Boss Cristian Fabbiani will be pleased with his side's showing this term considering they were only promoted to the top flight at the end of 2023.
Fabbiani's team have drawn their two most recent matches 0-0, and have shared the spoils in six of their last nine fixtures.
To their credit, Deportivo Riestra's home form is exceptional given they have triumphed in seven of their last nine games at Estadio Guillermo Laza, drawing the other two.
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The league leaders are three points clear of second-placed Huracan with just six matches left, and should they win the top flight it would represent a remarkable rise from their 25th-placed finish last term.
Velez Sarsfield's win against Tigre came about as a result of a 75th-minute own goal from Gian Nardelli, but the game was otherwise a close affair, with neither side producing more than one xG.
Manager Gustavo Quinteros's team have scored 34 goals and conceded on 14 occasions, and these records make them the best offensive and third-best defensive side.
It should be noted that Quinteros's side have struggled for victories in recent weeks and have won just once in their last four games, drawing the other three matches 1-1.
The visiting team may be somewhat concerned about their trip to Estadio Guillermo Laza considering they have failed to win any of their last three matches on the road, though they did win four of their prior five away games.
Team News
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Ignacio Arce is likely to start in goal, and he could be shielded by centre-backs Cristian Paz, Alan Barrionuevo and Nicolas Caro Torres.
Deportivo Riestra may start with a midfield three, so expect Milton Celiz, Pablo Monje and Pedro Ramirez to feature.
Alexander Diaz and Antony Alonso were both chosen to lead the forward line against Club Atletico Platense, and the pair could be trusted to do so again on Monday.
As for the visitors, strikers Ricardo Centurion, Alejo Sarco and Michael Santos are unavailable, so perhaps Braian Romero will start up front.
Midfielder Santiago Caseres is also ruled out, and this could mean that Christian Ordonez and Jalil Elias appear in a double pivot.
Velez Sarsfield could field a backline consisting of Joaquin Garcia, Emanuel Mammana, Valentin Gomez and Agustin Bouzat.
Deportivo Riestra possible starting lineup:
Arce; Goitia, Paz, Barrionuevo, Torres, Sansotre; Celiz, Monje, Ramirez; Diaz, Alonso
Velez Sarsfield possible starting lineup:
Marchiori; Garcia, Mammana, Gomez, Bouzat; Ordonez, Elias; Pizzini, Aquino, Fernandez; Romero
We say: Deportivo Riestra 1-1 Velez Sarsfield
The hosts have struggled to create many chances in recent games, but it is difficult to see them losing given their strong home record.
Additionally, Velez Sarsfield also struggled in the final third last time out, and it would not be surprising if Monday's match was low scoring.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
