Preview: Central Cordoba vs. Independiente - prediction, team news, lineups

El Ferroviario were beaten 2-0 by Rosario Central last time out, while the visitors fell to a similar loss at home to Newell's Old Boys.

Match preview

Leonardo Madelon's team were beaten after nearly two months without losing a game in all competitions, and they host Independiente looking to get back on track.

Despite going seven matches without defeat, four were draws, with 10 points accrued from a possible 18 before the loss to Rosario Central on July 11.

The Railroad have gone three unbeaten on their turf, picking up seven points in that run, and they could make that 10 from 12 with their sixth home win of the campaign.

Goals have been in short supply for Central Cordoba all season, with nine netted at home and eight conceded at Estadio Alfredo Terrera.

Be that as it may, they search for a fourth consecutive home clean sheet if they do not concede against Independiente on Monday.

The away side are six places behind the club they visit in the following round of games, fresh from a 2-0 loss at home to Newell's.

El Rojo have picked up a point from the last two games, failing to secure maximum points after a run that saw them claim two victories in three games.

That was anomalous, with those triumphs the only joy Ricardo Zielinski's team have had in their last eight league matches.

Examining their away results shows an absence of wins on the road since beating Talleres in late January.

Since that 1-0 win, 11 games have passed without maximum points on their travels, and that could become 12 without winning if Zielinski's men do not end Central Cordoba's ongoing home run.

Central Cordoba Argentine Primera Division form:

W

D

D

D

W

L

Independiente Argentine Primera Division form:

L

W

L

W

D

L

Team News

Central Cordoba left-back Marcelo Benitez is not expected to feature against Independiente, with a muscle injury ruling out the wide defender.

Luis Miguel Rodriguez has missed the last 10 league games with a facial injury, and the striker is still absent in gameweek 25.

Gonzalo Goni is doubtful, having gone off injured in the 2-0 loss against Rosario Central, with Sebastian Valdez replacing the centre-back in minute 70, forcing the hosts into a change in defence.

Tomas Pozzo and Rodrigo Marquez are absent for the long term due to ligament ruptures, but Braian Martinez is available despite going off injured at Gimnasia on July 7.

Zielinski has tended to utilise a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1, and the coach is not expected to alter from either approach against Central Cordoba.

Central Cordoba possible starting lineup:

Mansilla; Blasi, Pereyra, Valdez, Canto; Rius, Maciel, Pitton, Besozzi; Farioli, Gamba

Independiente possible starting lineup:

Rey; Gomez, Baez, Elizalde, Costa; Barcia, Ortiz, Marcone, Martinez; Rojas, Cauteruccio

We say: Central Cordoba 1-0 Independiente

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