On Friday, Sarmiento can hand Rosario Central their first home defeat in the second phase of the 2024 Argentine Primera Division campaign when the two sides face each other at Estadio Gigante de Arroyito.
Canalla extended their unbeaten run in this competition to four games with a 1-1 draw versus Godoy Cruz last week, while Sarmiento have won consecutive matches, beating Estudiantes 2-0 in their previous league fixture.
Match preview
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After leaving it late but earning a single point on matchdays two and four with equalisers in second-half stoppage time, Rosario went in front after 20 minutes against Godoy Cruz, but it was not enough to win.
That was the third time in the second phase that Miguel Angel Russo's men had failed to triumph when scoring first, dropping seven points from that winning position.
Dating back to the opening round of the Primera Division campaign, this team have points in three consecutive league fixtures at home but have not won a domestic contest at Estadio Gigante de Arroyito since a 1-0 triumph over Instituto in March.
Heading into matchday six, they find themselves near the middle of the table in 15th, with only three points separating them from River Plate in seventh.
While they are comfortably positioned above the relegation zone, 14 points ahead of that line, a second successive trip to the Copa Libertadores will be a stretch as they are currently 13 points behind Estudiantes for a place in the qualification stage of that tournament.
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Sarmiento have begun to build up a little momentum, winning consecutive league contests for just the second time domestically in 2024.
With another victory on Friday, they will have equalled their longest winning run in the Argentine top flight since the opening phase of the 2022 campaign (three).
Israel Damonte's men have significantly increased their chances of remaining in the Primera Division next season thanks to their recent form, sitting nine points above the relegation line.
Since the midway point of the opening phase Verdolaga have been much sharper defensively, conceding a goal or fewer in 11 of their last 13 domestic encounters, and without a goal conceded on back-to-back occasions.
Verde have never beaten Rosario Central away from home in the Argentine top flight, with their only road victory against them coming in the 2011-12 Primera B campaign (1-0).
Team News
Canalla are likely to be without Abel Hernandez for this match as he is dealing with a sore thigh, and Tomas O'Connor has a hernia injury.
Enzo Copetti provided the only goal for Rosario on matchday five, the first of the second phase for the Argentine winger.
On matchday five, the Sarmiento starting 11 included two new faces, Emanuel Hernandez and Juan Guasone, who replaced Juan Manuel Insaurralde and Franco Paredes.
Gabriel Gudino netted the winner early into the second half against Estudiantes, while Manuel Garcia scored for a second match running to seal the game.
Rosario Central possible starting lineup:
Broun; D. Martinez, Mallo, Quintana, Rodriguez; Coronel, Ortiz, Ibarra, Campaz; Ruben, Copetti
Sarmiento possible starting lineup:
Acosta; Lopez, Hernandez, Guasone, Paredes, Arismendi; Godoy, Mendez, Manuel Garcia, Gudino; Gho
We say: Rosario Central 1-0 Sarmiento
Although Sarmiento are in good form, having a lengthy break did not come at the most opportune moment, and we believe that long layoff will hamper them against Rosario.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
