Platensevs.Boca Juniors

Having failed to win any of the last five meetings between the sides, the hosts will head into the weekend looking to get one over the Xeneizes and get their season up and running.

Match preview

Platense were denied their first win of the new Primera Division campaign as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Atletico Tucuman at the Estadio Monumental Jose Fierro last Tuesday.

In a game where Sasha Marcich received his marching orders, Mateo Pellegrino broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute to put the visitors ahead but Marcelo Estigarribia struck in the 82nd minute to force a share of the spoils.

Prior to that, Favio Orsi's men kicked off the new campaign with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Newell's Old Boys at the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa on May 11, one week before holding on for a goalless draw against Independiente on home turf.

With their Copa Argentina round-of-32 clash against Huracan on the horizon, Platense will head into the weekend in search of a morale-boosting trail result in front of their home supporters.

However, the Calamar take on an opposing side whom they have failed to get the better of in any of their last five encounters, losing four and claiming one draw since August 2021.

Boca Juniors, on the other hand, wrapped up the Copa Sudamericana group-stage campaign in style on Thursday as they cruised to an emphatic 4-0 victory over Nacional Potosi.

In a winner-take-all affair at the Bombonera, Kevin Zenon, Marcelo Saracchi and the former Manchester United duo of Edinson Cavani and Marcos Rojo all found the back of the net to hand the hosts a vital victory.

Thursday's result saw Boca Juniors finish as runners-up in Group D of the continental showpiece, two points behind group winners Fortaleza and just four points above Bolivian outfit Nacional Potosoi.

Diego Hernan Martinez's men now turn their attention to the Primera Division, where they have kicked off the season on a decent note, claiming four points from their opening three matches.

After suffering a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Atletico Tucuman in the league opener on May 13, the Xeneizes picked up a thrilling 4-2 victor at Central Cordoba on May 20, six days before playing out a goalless draw with Talleres in their first home game of the campaign.

Boca Juniors head into the weekend unbeaten in each of their last four matches across all competitions, picking up two wins and two draws while scoring nine goals and keeping two clean sheets since their narrow defeat at the hands of Tucuman.

Platense Argentine Primera Division form:

L

W

W

L

D

D

Boca Juniors Argentine Primera Division form:

W

W

L

L

W

D

Boca Juniors form (all competitions):

W

L

D

W

D

W

Team News

Platense will have to cope without defender Marcich, who is currently suspended after picking up a red card in the game against Tucuman on Tuesday.

In his absence, 24-year-old Barros Schelotto should come into the fold for his first league start of the season, forming the back four with Juan Saborido, Ignacio Vazquez and club captain Gaston Suso.

On the injury front, Platense will take to the pitch without the duo of Gabriel Hachen and midfielder Carlos Villalba, who are currently recuperating from hamstring and foot injuries respectively.

As for Boca Juniors, Martinez's men will be unable to call upon the services of Luca Langoni (thigh), Jorge Nicolas Figal (calf) and Aaron Anselmino (hamstring) as they all continue their spells on the sidelines.

Argentine defender Lucas Blondel has been out of action since suffering an ACL injury against San Lorenzo back in March and the 27-year-old will play no part in Sunday's game.

Platense possible starting lineup:

Cozzani; Saborido, Vazquez, Suso, Schelotto; Gomez, Picco, Juarez; Martinez, Pellegrino, Ocampo

Boca Juniors possible starting lineup:

Romero; Saracchi, Lema, Di Lollo, Blanco; Medina, P Fernandez, Taborda; E Fernandez, Merentiel, Cavani

We say: Platense 0-2 Boca Juniors

Gtech off the back of a convincing victory over Potosi, Boca Juniors will head into the weekend with sky-high confidence. Looking at past results between the sides, Martinez's men are firm favourites and we are backing them to claim all three points at the Estadio Ciudad de Vicente Lopez.

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