Defensavs.Independiente

Defensa y Justicia are 25th with just one point from the opening three games, while Independiente are only a point better off in 20th place.

Match preview

Defensa have struggled for results in recent matches across all competitions and come into this game without victory in eight games, last being the triumphant side in a 1-0 win against Newell's Old Boys in the Copa de la Liga in April.

In the three matches they have so far played in the Argentine Primera Division, Defensa have lost two and drawn one, resulting in them being 25th in the table.

Julio Vaccari oversaw the opening fixture of the campaign but resigned following their exit from the Copa Sudamericana with Pablo Quatrocchi replacing him as interim manager for the following matches before Francisco Meneghini was hired on a permanent basis.

Meneghini's first match in charge was far from ideal as they lost to Universidad Cesar Vallejo, handing the Peruvian side their first and only victory in the Copa Sudamericana group stage, but this upcoming game in charge will give the manager a chance to kickstart Defensa's campaign in the league.

They are set to host an Independiente side that they have defeated in each of the last two meetings and are unbeaten in all of the past three, but they have only recorded one victory in their last six meetings at their home ground against them.

Independiente come into this one in much greater form than the hosts, although still far from ideal as they have lost twice in their last 10, drawing five and winning three of the remaining fixtures.

They have failed to win in any of their Argentine Primera Division outings, drawing two and losing one, and former boss Carlos Tevez departed from the club following their 0-0 tie with Platense, leaving Youth Coordinator Hugo Tocalli in charge until a permanent manager can be appointed.

Tocalli managed to pick up a point from his first match against Velez Sarsfield and will now be looking to get their first win on the board, and Independiente may fancy their chances with them losing just one of their last nine away outings across all competitions.

Defensa y Justicia Argentine Primera Division form:

Defensa y Justicia form (all competitions):

L

L

D

D

L

L

Independiente Argentine Primera Division form:

Independiente form (all competitions):

Team News

The hosts are carrying a number of injury concerns into this game, meaning changes are a necessity here.

Luciano Herrera's red card in the Copa Sudamericana last time out will be served in this fixture following Defensa's exit from that competition.

Esteban Burgos, Rodrigo Bogarin and Alexis Soto were all taken off due to injuries in the previous league game, and all three are unlikely to return for this one.

David Barbona and Gaston Togni will remain out until later this year with cruciate ligament injuries, while Nicolas Fernandez is set to return from a thigh problem in late June.

As for the visitors, Ivan Marcone and Santiago Toloza will be out until late June.

Matias Rojas is not expected to return for a number of months after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in March.

Elsewhere, caretaker manager Tocalli may opt for the same side that earned a deserving point in their previous match.

Defensa y Justicia possible starting lineup:

Fiermarlin; Tripichio, Marco, Aguilera, Caceres; Sosa, Gutierrez; Molinas, Palavecino, Echevarria; Blandi

Independiente possible starting lineup:

Rey; Isla, Fedorco, Laso, Perez; Martinez, Mancuello; Lopez, Millan, Tarzia; Avalos

We say: Defensa y Justicia 0-1 Independiente

Both teams are coming into this game having endured recent periods of uncertainty with changes to their manager, but Independiente's performances and results have been significantly better than the hosts, who have failed to win in over a month.

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