Preview: Barracas Central vs. Rosario Central - prediction, team news, lineups

The away side, who are fifth in the table, will enter the contest off the back of a 4-1 victory over Instituto, while 18th-placed Barracas suffered a 5-2 defeat at Estudiantes in their last match.

Match preview

Barracas finished 17th in Argentine's top flight last season, and it would certainly not be a surprise to see them end this campaign in a similar spot.

A record of five wins, seven draws and seven defeats from 19 matches has seen them collect 22 points to occupy 18th position in the table, and they will enter this match off the back of a 5-2 loss at Estudiantes.

Barracas had actually been on a six-game unbeaten run before they lost heavily against Estudiantes, which included a 1-0 success over Estudiantes Caseros in the Copa Argentina.

Los Camioneros will be pleased to be back on home soil, having recorded a 1-0 victory over San Lorenzo in their last game in front of their own supporters at the end of May.

Sergio Rondina's side only have two more league games in June, following this match with a clash against Racing Club, and they will be determined to bounce back from their heavy loss last time out.

Rosario, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 4-1 win over Instituto, with Lautaro Giaccone scoring a brace during a strong performance.

Miguel Angel Russo's side have made a strong start to the campaign, picking up 33 points from 19 matches, which has left them in fifth position in the table.

Rosario finished 20th in Argentine's top flight last season, but they have won the competition on four previous occasions, with their last success coming in 1987.

Canalla have now been victorious in three of their last four matches in all competitions, with their only defeat during that run coming at Banfield at the end of May.

Russo's team, who will welcome Colon in their next match after this one, also beat Central Norte 4-1 in the Copa Argentina on May 24 to advance to the next round of the competition.

Barracas Central Argentine Primera Division form:

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W

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L

Rosario Central Argentine Primera Division form:

L

W

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W

Team News

Barracas will be without the services of Ricardo Centurion due to a thigh injury, but the home side are otherwise in strong shape heading into this match.

Head coach Rondina is expected to make changes from the side that started the defeat at Estudiantes, with Alan Cantero and Maximiliano Puig both likely to come into the XI.

Bruno Sepulveda is the team's leading goalscorer this season with five, and the 30-year-old will again feature in the final third of the field on Friday night.

Rosario, meanwhile, will be missing Walter Montoya on Friday evening due to an ankle problem.

Russo's side have no fresh concerns from their win over Instituto last time out, though, and it would therefore not be a surprise to see the same XI take to the field for this match.

Alejo Veliz has been the team's main source of goals this season, finding the back of the net on seven occasions, and he will continue in the final third of the field.

Barracas Central possible starting lineup:

Villar; Cantero, Capraro, Alvarez, Diaz, Insua; Mater, Herrera, Puig, Calderara; Sepulveda

Rosario Central possible starting lineup:

Broun; D Martinez, Mallo, Quintana, A Rodriguez; Mac Allister, Ortiz; Giaccone, Malcorra, Campaz; Veliz

We say: Barracas Central 1-2 Rosario Central

Rosario Central have made a strong start to the campaign and will certainly be full of confidence entering this contest. Barracas Central are more than capable of picking up a positive result, but we just have a feeling that the visitors will be able to claim all three points on Friday night.

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