Preview: Aldosivi vs. Atletico Tucuman - prediction, team news, lineups

Off the back of an underwhelming start to the season, the hosts head into the weekend rooted to the bottom of the Primera Division standings and will be desperate to get their season up and running.

Match preview

Aldosivi were sent back down to earth in the Primera Division as they fell to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Defensa Justicia when the sides met last Monday.

After heading into the interval with a two-goal lead courtesy of goals from Braian Martinez and Bautista Kociubinski, El Verde imploded in the second period as Lucas Albertengo, Tomas Galvan and Nicolas Tripichio scored in a 17-minute spell to turn the game on its head in dramatic fashion.

Prior to that, Leandro Somoza's men picked up their first win of the season when they saw off Rosario Central 2-1 on July 4 to bring their run of six defeats and one draw from seven games to an end.

With four points from their opening seven games, Aldosivi are currently rock-bottom in the Primera Division standings but could rise as high as 24th place with all three points this weekend.

Their poor start to the season has been in no small part owing to their struggles at the defensive end of the pitch, where they currently hold the division's joint-worst record with 13 goals conceded already.

In stark contrast, Atletico Tucuman boasts the best defensive record in the Primera Division heading into the weekend as they have kept three clean sheets while conceding just three goals so far.

Lucas Pusineri's side made it two wins from two last time out when they comfortably saw off second-placed Gimnasia Esgrima 2-0 at the Estadio Monumental Jose Fierro.

The tie was off to a bang as Augusto Lotti broke the deadlock without the opening 60 seconds and after several attempts by the visitors to get back into the game, Ramiro Ruiz Rodriguez struck in the 62nd minute to make sure of the result.

Atletico Tucuman are now one of just three sides yet to lose a league game this season — alongside Platense and Newell's Old Boys — picking up three wins and four draws from seven games.

With 13 points from a possible 21, El Gigante del Norte are currently seventh in the league standings, two points off first-placed Newell's Old Boys.

Atletico Tucuman will fancy their chances of coming away with the desired results as they go up against an opposing side against whom they are unbeaten in 12 of their last 13 meetings since 2010.

Aldosivi Argentine Primera Division form:

Aldosivi form (all competitions):

Atletico Tucuman Argentine Primera Division form:

Atletico Tucuman form (all competitions):

Team News

Aldosivi will take to the pitch without the services of Patricio Boolsen, who is currently suspended after picking up a 40th-minute straight red against Defensa Justicia last time out.

In his absence, 27-year-old Mario Lopez should come into the fold for his fifth start of the season, forming a centre-back pairing with Boca Juniors loanee Nicolas Valentini.

As for Atletico Tucuman, Pusineri remains unable to call upon Uruguayan midfielder Ramiro Cristobal, who has been out of action since March through a muscle injury.

Argentine defender Marcelo Ortiz is another guaranteed absentee for the visitors as the 27-year-old continues his spell on the sidelines after coming off injured in June's game against Colon.

Lotti and Rodriguez turned in a fine performance last time out as their goals put Gimnasia to their sword and we expect the Argentine duo to spearhead the attack once again.

Aldosivi possible starting lineup:

Devecchi; Lucero, Lopez, Valentini, Villalba; Meli, Maciel; Rios, Kociubinski, Martinez; Silva

Atletico Tucuman possible starting lineup:

Lampe; Garay, Bianchi, Capasso, Orihuela; Rius, Acosta, Carrera, Pereyra; Lotti, Rodríguez

We say: Aldosivi 0-2 Atletico Tucuman

Atletico Tucuman will be licking their lips as they lock horns with an out-of-sorts Aldosivi side rooted to the bottom of the table. While the hosts will be desperate to pull clear of the bottom of the log, we are backing Pusineri's side to extend their dominance in this fixture and come away with a comfortable victory.

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