Preview: Racing Club vs. Rosario Central - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, meanwhile, returned to winning ways against Central Cordoba in their last match.

Match preview

After finishing second behind Boca Juniors in former Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago's first season in charge of the club, Racing have been disappointing for the most part of the current campaign.

La Academia collected only one point from a run of seven games during a particular period, but they have since avoided defeat in each of their last eight outings, although five of those matches have ended as draws.

That includes their last two fixtures against San Lorenzo and Estudiantes, but Racing did at least perform to a high level during the Copa Libertadores, ousting Flamengo to finish top of Group A and set up a two-legged tie against Colombian outfit Atletico Nacional in the last-16.

Having only lifted South American's continental competition on one occasion all the way back in 1967, Gago will be determined to create history in that tournament, while aiming to improve his side's current position of 13th in the table.

Rosario, on the other hand, have hugely improved from finishing 20th last season, with the appointment of former Boca Juniors boss Miguel Angel Russo at the end of 2022 helping them lie seventh after 24 games this time around.

Canalla ended a winless streak of four matches by dispatching Central Cordoba last time out, with goals near the beginning of each half from Fabricio Oviedo and Victor Malcorra helping them get over the line.

Unlike their forthcoming opponents, Rosario do not have any distractions on the continent, allowing them to focus primarily on achieving qualification for either the Copa Libertadores or Copa Sudamericana through their league position.

However, they have secured their place in the latter stages of the Copa Argentina, which they will be hoping to win once again after their maiden triumph in the domestic cup in 2018.

Racing Club Argentine Primera Division form:

D

W

D

W

D

D

Racing Club form (all competitions):

W

D

W

W

D

D

Rosario Central Argentine Primera Division form:

W

D

D

L

D

W

Team News

Racing will no longer be able to call upon the services of Paraguay midfielder Matias Rojas, who moved to Brazilian side Corinthians on a free transfer earlier this week.

Maximiliano Romero, Gabriel Rojas, Nicolas Reniero, Leonel Miranda and Emiliano Vecchio are all expected to remain sidelined through injury, leaving Gago with little options to change his starting XI.

Rosario, meanwhile, will travel without Walter Montoya due to an ongoing ankle issue, but otherwise Russo appears to have a clean bill of health at his disposal.

Gino Infantino could return to the visitors' midfield in order to provide fresh legs within the engine room, but Russo is unlikely to make any other changes after his side finally returned to winning ways.

Racing Club possible starting lineup:

Arias; Aviles, Sigali, Quiros; Mura, Nardoni, Gomez, Piovi; Oroz, Saliadarre, Rodriguez

Rosario Central possible starting lineup:

Broun; Martinez, Mallo, Quintana, Armoa; Mac Allister, Infantino; Oviedo, Malcorra, Campaz; Veliz

We say: Racing Club 1-1 Rosario Central

Both sides have drawn plenty of games in recent times, and we can envisage them sharing the spoils once again when they meet this weekend.

Racing will be hoping to go the distance in the Copa Libertadores this season, while Rosario will fancy their chances in the domestic cup, but both managers will be determined to ensure their league campaigns do not fizzle out with plenty still to play for.

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