Velez Sarsfield will put their 100% home record in the second phase of the 2023 Argentine Primera Division campaign at stake on Monday when they host Atletico Tucuman at Estadio Jose Amalfitani.
El Fortin are coming off a 0-0 draw away to Tigre at the end of September, putting them on 10 points in Group A, even with El Decano, who also incurred a goalless draw last week versus Central Cordoba.
Match preview
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Seven matches into the second phase of this domestic campaign, we have seen numerous parallels from the club based in Liniers in this round as we saw in the opening one.
Sarsfield have only claimed one point on the road from four fixtures in this phase of the competition with just a single goal, but they have won their last three at home, conceding only once over that stretch.
They have conceded just once in the opening half in this portion of the Primera campaign and are undefeated in the first or second phase of this competition at home when leading after 45 minutes.
With only 37 points in the first and second phase of this competition so far, Velez Sarsfield find themselves in a battle to stave off relegation, currently 26th in the overall table, third from the bottom and only above Gimnasia on goal difference.
Sebastian Mendez had a decorated career as a player with this club, helping them capture a Copa Libertadores, Intercontinental Cup, and Copa Sudamericana title, along with three league trophies in the 90s, but he has not been able to replicate anywhere near that sort of success as team manager, with his side only picking up consecutive league triumph on one occasion since his appointment.
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Atletico Tucuman ended the first phase of the Primera campaign unbeaten in their last three road fixtures, including two victories, though they have not been able to keep that going in round two, going winless in their three matches played as the visitors.
A solid opening round, which saw them claim 37 points from 27 matches, has them in line for a spot at the Copa Sudamericana next season, as they currently sit a point back of Lanus for a place in that competition, having narrowly missed out on qualifying for that tournament by a single point or fewer in two of their previous three domestic campaigns.
Co-managers Favio Orsi and Sergio Gomez have not been able to improve this group's form in front of goal since taking charge, however, with Atletico notching the second-fewest goals (four) in this phase of the competition, netting in just one of their last three domestic away contests.
On the other side, though, they have been among the most well-organised and disciplined backlines in the Argentine top flight, tied with Instituto ACC and Sarmiento for the fewest goals allowed in this phase (three).
While they have lost four of their five away fixtures in all competitions versus Velez Sarsfield, El Gigante del Norte are unbeaten in their last four competitive fixtures against them, conceding only once over that stretch, while winning their previous visit to Estadio Jose Amalfitani last season (1-0).
Team News
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Velez will be without Nicolas Garayalde for this encounter after he was sent off in the seventh minute against Tigre, while Leonardo Jara is not expected to return from his knee injury until late October.
Santiago Castro has scored in his last two domestic home fixtures as he and Juan Ignacio Mendez found the back of the net when they defeated Arsenal Sarandi 2-1, while Gaston Gomez has only conceded once in his last two home matches between the sticks, having started their last six domestic fixtures in place of Leonardo Burian.
Atletico could be without Lucas Naranjo as he is recovering from a sprained knee, Cristian Menendez has a sore Achilles tendon, Marcelo Estigarribia is dealing with an issue in his ankle, Adrian Sanchez could be out due to a muscle problem and Marcelo Ortiz has a calf injury.
Tomas Marchiori has only conceded one goal in his last four domestic appearances between the sticks, posting consecutive clean sheets, while Joaquin Pereyra was the last player to find the back of the net for them when he converted a 58th-minute penalty on matchday six, helping his side defeat Arsenal Sarandi at home 1-0.
Velez Sarsfield possible starting lineup:
G. Gomez; Garcia, Gianetti, V. Gomez, E. Gomez; Mendez; Pizzini, Florentin, T. Fernandez, Prestianni; Bou
Atletico Tucuman possible starting lineup:
Marchiori; De la Fuente, Bianchi, Romero, Orihuela; Kociubinski; Giani, Carrera, Pereyra; A. Rodriguez, Coronel
We say: Velez Sarsfield 1-0 Atletico Tucuman
El Decano have been indecisive in the attacking third away from home and have not created many scoring opportunities either, and we expect to see a lot more urgency out of the home side on Monday given their current predicament.
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