Friday's Argentine Primera Division predictions including Rosario Central vs. Gimnasia

Banfield vs. Barracas Central (Friday, 11.00pm)

Banfield have an opportunity to do something that they have not done domestically all year: win three consecutive league contests, as they host Barracas Central in the fifth match of the second phase for both teams on Friday.

El Taladro moved into 10th place in the overall Argentine Primera Division standings thanks to a 1-0 win over Tigre, while Baraquenos are winless in this round, dropping a 3-1 decision to Boca Juniors in their previous encounter.

We say: Banfield 1-0 Barracas Central

Even though they have conceded their share of efforts on target in recent matches, Banfield are doing a good job when it comes to closing off those dangerous scoring areas in their third of the field, and we expect them to be able to contain a Barracas side still missing that attacking ingredient in the final third.

Rosario vs. Gimnasia (Friday, 11.00pm)

One of five unbeaten teams remaining in the second phase of the Argentine Primera Division, Gimnasia, return to domestic action on Friday when they travel to Estadio Gigante de Arroyito to face Rosario Central.

Rosario are unbeaten at home in the second round but have dropped their two road fixtures, while El Lobo defeated Racing Club 3-1 and hold a record of two wins and a pair of draws in this phase.

We say: Rosario Central 1-0 Gimnasia

Rosario may not possess the ball for long stretches throughout a 90-minute encounter, but they have shown to be a solid defensive side at home, with clean sheets in three of their last four league games.

We expect them to shut down Gimnasia in the attacking third on Friday and get the favourable new coaches' bump.

Boca Juniors vs. Union (Saturday, 1.30am)

Boca Juniors can temporarily move into sole possession of first place in the Argentine Primera Division aggregate table with a victory on Friday versus Union at La Bombonera.

Azul y Oro are tied for first in the overall standings with a total of 36 points, while Union dropped down to 23rd in the second-round standings after suffering a 5-1 defeat at home to River Plate.

We say: Boca Juniors 3-0 Union

Tatengue are playing Boca Juniors at an inopportune moment, with the 34-time league champions firing on all cylinders in the attacking third, while Union might still be a little shell shocked from that second-half performance against River Plate where they conceded four goals in the final half-hour.