Preview: Sarmiento vs. Patronato - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, on the other hand, head into the game fresh off the back of ending a six-game winless run in the league and will look to keep the ball rolling.

Match preview

Sarmiento were sent crashing back down to earth on Wednesday as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Estudiantes at the Estudiantes de La Plata.

Veteran forward Mauro Boselli scored in the 37th minute to hand the hosts a first-half lead and after Jonathan Torees restored parity in the 57th minute, the former Wigan Athletic man converted his 77th-minute penalty to restore the lead.

Prior to that, Mario Sciacqua's men ended their four-game losing streak on June 11 when they narrowly saw off Argentinos Juniors courtesy of Lisandro Lopez's second-half strike.

Sarmiento have now picked up one win and lost two of their opening three games in the new Primera Division campaign to collect three points — one more than Saturday's visitor.

Patronato, on the other hand, finally got their season up and running last time out when they claimed a 1-0 victory over Aldosivi at the Estadio Presbítero Bartolome Grella.

Despite seeing just 38% of the ball possession and being on the back foot for most of the game, 29-year-old Facundo Cobos scored against the run of play to hand the hosts a much-needed victory.

Prior to that, Facundo Sava's side played out a 1-1 home draw with Velez Sarfield in their season curtain-raiser on June 4 before suffering a 2-0 defeat away to Gimnasia six days later.

While Patronato will look to pick up successive victories, they have struggled for results on the road, managing two wins and losing six of their last eight away games since the turn of the year.

However, next up is an opposing side who they are unbeaten against in each of the last three Primera Division meetings between the teams, claiming two wins and one draw since a 1-0 defeat back in 2016.

Sarmiento Argentine Primera Division form:

Sarmiento form (all competitions):

Patronato Argentine Primera Division form:

Patronato form (all competitions):

Team News

Lucas Acosta has been out of action since last February through a severe knee problem and remains out of contention for Sarmiento.

Torres has registered one goal and provided an assist in the opening three games and we expect the 25-year-old to spearhead the attack once again.

He should be joined in attack by veteran forward Javier Toledo and Argentine international Lucas Castro, while Yair Arismendi should start at the centre of the park for the fourth game running.

As for Patronato, Sava will be unable to call upon the services of Fabio Vazquez, who sustained an ACL injury in April's game against Union.

He is joined on the club's injury table by 27-year-old Matias Pardo, who has been out of action since December through a ligament problem.

Sarmiento possible starting lineup:

Meza; Bettini, Guanini, Sauro, Rasmussen, Quinteros; Castro, Mancilla, Arismendi; Toledo, Torres

Patronato possible starting lineup:

Altamirano; Lozano, Mosevich, Quintana, Cobos; Garcia, Leys, Castro, Medina; Herrera, Rodriguez

We say: Sarmiento 1-2 Patronato

Both sides have not exactly hit the ground running in the new campaign, managing one win from their three games respectively. However, buoyed by Tuesday's victory, Patronato should head into the weekend with renewed confidence and we are backing them to come away with all three points against the floundering hosts.

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