Prediction: Central Cordoba vs Newell’s Old Boys

Verdict: Draw

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Two sides who are looking to make up some ground in the Copa Sudamericana chase in the early hours of Saturday, Central Cordoba will welcome Newell’s Old Boys to the Alfredo Terrera.

Central Cordoba

Starting with the hosts, while Central Cordoba might have been last seen snatching a gritty 1-1 draw away at Estudiantes last weekend, the Railroad have gained a reputation as a stalemate specialist. In fact, along with marking their return from June’s international break with a 0-0 draw at home against Gimnasia L.P., Abel Balbo’s side have now had to settle for a single point in four of their last five Primera Division appearances. Likewise, mustering just a pair of wins from their last nine matchups across all competitions – a run that stems back to April 29th – the former Arezzo boss should at least be boosted by his side’s recent success on home soil. Along with extending on their Copa Argentina adventure thanks to a 3-0 victory against Cominicaciones on May 24th, Central Cordoba have not shipped a single goal at the Alfredo Terrera in over 270 minutes of action.

Team News

Converting from the spot away at Estudiantes last weekend and notching a first Primera Division appearance since the middle of May, 36-year-old Lucas Gamba will once again spearhead Cordoba’s attack here. Cementing his spot as Balbo’s number one prior to the international break, Matias Mansilla will keep his spot between the sticks.

With Enzo Kalinski making a brief cameo appearance after returning from a minor knock last time out, the former Banfield midfielder could make a full return in the early hours of Saturday.

Newell’s Old Boys

As for the visitors, while Newell’s Old Boys might have opened the 2023 campaign with their sights set on clinching another Copa Sudamericana ticket, La Lepra find themselves in a similar position to Saturday’s hosts. Eventually having to settle for an action-packed 2-2 draw against Gimnasia L.P. earlier in the week, Gabriel Heinze’s men have now played out a stalemate in each of their previous four consecutive appearances across all competitions. However, despite still trying to find a boost since returning from June’s international break, the one-time Manchester United defender will be excited by a rampant record against Central Cordoba. Breezing their way to a 3-0 victory when they travelled to the Alfredo Terrera nine months ago, it should be highlighted that Newell’s Old Boys have won all five of their meetings against the Railroad by an aggregate score of 11-1.

Team News

Both still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Newell’s Old Boys will once again be without the duo of Francisco Gonzalez and Marco Campagnaro this weekend. Impressing off the bench against Gimnasia in midweek and notching his first domestic strike of the season, Lisandro Montenegro could be handed a full recall here.

Making his first start since returning from the international break last month, former Union Sante Fe defender Bruno Pitton should keep his spot at left-back.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their last meeting back in October 2022, Newell’s Old Boys stormed their way to a 3-0 romp at the Alfredo Terrera.
• Likewise, Saturday’s hosts have won all five of their previous meetings against the Railroad by an aggregate score of 11-1.
• La Lepra have lost just one of their previous 13 appearances across all formats – a run that stems back to April 22nd.
• Including three stalemates on the bounce, Central Cordoba have won just a pair of their previous nine domestic showdowns.
• However, Saturday’s hosts have recorded a clean sheet in each of their last three straight appearances at the Alfredo Terrera.

Conclusion

While both Central Cordoba and Newell’s Old Boys might have their sights set on making up some ground in the Copa Sudamericana chase, Saturday’s opponents have drastically struggled to pick up maximum points on either side of the international break. In fact, along with the La Lepra having to settle for a stalemate in each of their previous four appearances, the hosts find themselves in an almost identical position. Watching the Railroad also only pick up a single point in four of their last five domestic showdowns, we are backing a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Draw

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Olympusbet