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

The hosts are aiming to avoid to fourth consecutive defeat, while the visitors have won their last three league outings.

Match preview

A poor run of results cost Javier Sanguinetti his job at Banfield, but his replacement Julio Cesar Falcioni has not had the most encouraging start at the Bueno Aires outfit.

Five of Falcioni's six games in charge since his May 10 appointment have been defeats, with the only victory the 2-0 triumph over Rosario Central on May 29.

A 3-0 victory over Argentino de Merlo in the Copa Argentina looked as though it could have been the catalyst to turn El Taladro's season around, however, they slipped straight back into old habits last time out against Belgrano, suffering a 3-1 defeat.

Falcioni will know that his side need to pick up victories and fast, as they currently sit second-bottom of the league on 18 points from 21 matches, having won three matches at home all season - only one team has a worse away record.

Meanwhile, Argentinos Juniors will almost certainly not be winning Argentina's Primera Division for the fourth time in the club's history given that River Plate have a healthy 18-point deficit over El Bicho, and 10-point cushion over second-placed Talleres.

However, they remain on course to challenge for the Copa Libertadores, with Gabriel Milito guiding his side through to the knockout stages.

El Bicho find themselves in ninth position in the table, a place below where they finished last season, however, recent victories against Defensa y Justicia, Velez Sarsfield and Platense means that Milito's men can make it four wins on the spin this weekend.

Argentinos have only taken 12 points from their 10 away trips so far this campaign, but confidence will be high in Milito's camp as they take on a side with one of the worst home records in the division.

Banfield Argentine Primera Division form:

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Banfield form (all competitions):

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Argentinos Juniors Argentine Primera Division form:

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Argentinos Juniors form (all competitions):

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Team News

Long-term absentee Alexis Maldonado has not returned from the ligament injury sustained over a year ago.

Emanuel Insua will return from suspension after being shown a straight red card in Banfield's 4-1 defeat to River Plate, while Milton Gimenez looks set to lead the line.

As for the visitors, they will travel without Lucas Ambrogio and Facundo Ferreyra due to long-term knee and calf issues respectively.

Gabriel Avalos could start up front after bagging a brace against Defensa y Justicia in their last league outing with Francisco Gonzalez Metilli and Alan Rodriguez supporting him in the final third.

Banfield possible starting lineup:

Cambeses; Coronel, Olivera, Maciel, Insua; Sosa, Cabrera, Remedi, Bisanz; Sosa, Gimenez

Argentinos Juniors possible starting lineup:

Arias; Mac Allister, Torren, Villalba; Cabrera, Redondo, Moyano, Montiel; Metilli, Rodriguez; Avalos

We say: Banfield 0-2 Argentinos Juniors

Banfield have one of the worst home records in the league, and are on a terrible run of form at the moment, so we think the away side will take all three points here.

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