Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Preview: Argentinos Juniors vs. Independiente - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 14 June 2022, 05:34
Independiente have an opportunity to keep pace with the top teams in the Argentine Primera Division when they travel to Estadio Diego Armando Maradona on Thursday to face Argentinos Juniors.

El Bicho lost their first encounter of the second phase, 1-0 to Sarmiento this past weekend, while the club from Avellaneda have four points in the second stage of this competition following their 1-0 victory over Talleres Cordoba on Friday.

Match preview

After narrowly missing out on a spot in the Copa Sudamericana last season, the 2022 campaign for Argentinos Juniors has been about unfinished business and earning a place in one of the big South American competitions next year.

Their cumulative standing has them currently sitting in 12th, two points back of Union for the final Sudamericana spot in Argentina.

An impressive opening round in which they earned points in 11 of their 14 group fixtures has them within striking distance of a Copa Libertadores position and a mere five points behind Racing for first overall.

Juniors did not concede more than once at home in the first phase of the competition, going pointless in only one match played inside their famous stadium.

So far in the second round, Gabriel Milito has been forced to change his strategies numerous times because his team have trailed more often than not.

His side have conceded first in each of their previous four matches, something they rarely did in the opening phase, scoring the opener in 10 of their 14 encounters.

They have never beaten Independiente at home in this competition, though they are unbeaten against them in league play since 2019, failing to concede to them in their lone fixture last year (0-0) and in their victory in 2020 (1-0).

Throughout the current domestic campaign, El Bicho have traditionally tried to overload the midfield with a possession-based approach, which has enabled them to keep their matches close, though they have conceded in each of their last six fixtures.

Long considered a part of Argentina's Big Five, Independiente had a tough opening phase, finishing 10th in Group B, winning just three of their 14 games.

As a result, Eduardo Dominguez and his side have been forced to play catch-up, four points back of a Copa Sudamericana spot next season in the aggregate table.

El Rojo have looked sharp when scoring first, coming away with their share of points in that scenario, though they squandered a second-half advantage in their opening match of this phase, drawing San Lorenzo 1-1.

Independiente are an attack-minded team who like to throw numbers forward and press opposing sides, allowing themselves plenty of scoring opportunities, which they have struggled to convert.

Their undoing in the opening phase was a lack of intensity away from home, winning only one of their seven contests as the visitors, and that area will need improvement if they are to climb back into the race for a spot in one of South America's prestigious tournaments next year.

Rey de Copas will need to do a better job at covering the space in behind the midfield, as their aggressive press has left them susceptible to a quick counter on numerous occasions.

Argentinos Juniors Argentine Primera Division form:

Independiente Argentine Primera Division form:

Independiente form (all competitions):

Team News

Gabriel Carabajal and Thiago Nuss scored for Juniors in their opening match of the second phase, while Federico Lanzillota stopped three of the four shots that he faced, helping his side capture a 2-1 win.

Matias Galarza is the only one on the team with an assist in their two second-round matches, while Nicolas Reniero, who led them with five goals domestically last season, has not tallied in 2022-23, nor has Mateo Coronel, who had four strikes a year ago.

Pablo Minissale has a meniscus issue, while Javier Cabrera could be out until late June due to a muscle injury, while the club is looking for more contributions from Gabriel Florentin, who notched two goals and two assists in their previous campaign.

Lucas Romero tallied the winner for Independiente in their victory on Friday, as Milton Alvarez stopped all four shots that he faced to collect his first clean sheet of the second phase, while Leandro Benegas had the only strike in their opening draw versus San Lorenzo.

Alan Sonora has yet to find the back of the net in this domestic campaign after tallying four goals and four assists a season ago, while Juan Isaurralde and Leandro Fernandez are the only players with an assist for them after two games.

Tomas Pozzo has an ankle injury which will keep him on the sidelines until early July, while Damian Batallini, currently on loan from Juniors might not be ready for at least a couple of weeks due to a broken hand and Sebastian Sosa is hoping to make his first start in the second phase of the Primera season, collecting three clean sheets in their first 14 domestic encounters.

Argentinos Juniors possible starting lineup:

Lanzillota; Mac Allister, Di Cesare, Villalba; Nuss, Vera, Coronel, Galarza, Bittolo; Veron, Carabajal

Independiente possible starting lineup:

Alvarez; Vigo, Barreto, Insaurralde, Ortega; Poblete; Romero, Gonzalez, Blanco; Fernandez, Benegas

We say: Argentinos Juniors 1-1 Independiente

There is quality on both sides, though neither have managed to bury their chances consistently, so we anticipate this will be a close game between two teams who are looking to keep pace in the early stages of this Primera Division phase.

Previews by email

Top News

26 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers youngster Bastien Meupiyou has finally made his first appearance for the Premier League club. 26 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly contemplating an approach for Hammarby winger Bazoumana Toure. 26 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have reportedly established whether they consider Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap to be a future transfer target. 26 November 2024 talksport.com Tottenham will consider signing a new goalkeeper in January following the injury to Guglielmo Vicario, talkSPORT understands. 26 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has seemingly ended any chance of Arda Guler leaving the club during the January transfer window. 26 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to take one step closer to the last 16, Europa League leaders Lazio will welcome Ludogorets Razgrad to Stadio Olimpico on Thursday. 26 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Another Premier League gameweek, another weekend of Liverpool streaking clear while Manchester City falter, as Arne Slot's men established an eight-point lead at the top of the rankings with a thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Southampton. 26 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With all eyes fixed on the January transfer market, clubs around the UK and Europe are already lining up potential mid-season moves. 26 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Slovan Bratislava vs. AC Milan (Tuesday, 5.45pm) Seeking a third straight Champions League win, Italian giants AC Milan will meet struggling Slovan Bratislava at Stadion Tehelne Pole on Tuesday evening. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur defender Sergio Reguilon is allegedly hoping to agree to the mutual termination of his contract. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruben Amorim will look to claim his first win as Manchester United head coach when his side welcome Bodo/Glimt to Old Traffordfor Thursday's Europa League contest. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been accused of 'thinking about himself' by fellow club legend Jamie Carragher. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On matchday five of the Champions League, Dinamo Zagreb will welcome inconsistent Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund to Stadion Maksimir on Wednesday. 25 November 2024 talksport.com Jamie Carragher has revealed he's been left 'very disappointed' by Mohamed Salah after he delivered a huge Liverpool contract update. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly held "positive" contract talks with the agent of Mohamed Salah, despite comments suggesting otherwise. 25 November 2024 talksport.com Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has revealed he played over an hour with a broken ankle against Manchester City. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Austrian champions Sturm Graz are set to welcome Spanish side Girona to Worthersee Stadion on Wednesday in their fifth Champions League fixture of the season. 25 November 2024 talksport.com Curtis Jones currently tops an important midfield metric thanks to an impressive season with Liverpool thus far. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Millwall will look to extend their eight-game unbeaten run when they travel to Fratton Park for Wednesday's Championship clash with Portsmouth. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk No doubt one of the most eagerly-awaited battles of the 2024-25 Champions League, six-time winners Liverpool and 15-time champions Real Madrid collide in Wednesday's mouthwatering Anfield showdown. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will be aiming to return to winning ways when they host Brest in the Champions League on Tuesday night. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich will welcome Paris Saint-Germain to Allianz Arena in the Champions League on Tuesday night. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk At risk of a scarcely believable sixth straight loss in all competitions, a wounded Manchester City take on Feyenoord in the Champions League league phase on Tuesday. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fresh from a first Premier League victory in weeks, Arsenal's next Champions League quest on Tuesday night sees them visit a Sporting Lisbon side who have won a staggering 14 home games on the spin. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to the Philips Stadion on matchday five of the Champions League this wednesday. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Strong starters Monaco welcome an in-form Benfica side to the Stade Louis II on matchday five of the Champions League on Wednesday night. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have reportedly included defender Kieran Tierney in their travelling squad for Tuesday night's Champions League clash at Sporting Lisbon. 25 November 2024 talksport.com Luka Modric has named a star-studded six-a-side team of footballing legends but there's no room for Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City's Champions League encounter with Feyenoord at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday is "a must-win for many reasons", Citizens expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has told Sports Mole. 25 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have received a double injury boost ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League clash with Feyenoord at the Etihad.