Preview: Independiente vs. Huracan - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts are two points above their forthcoming opponents having averaged exactly one point per game from 21 matches.

Match preview

After finishing 14th last season, 16-time Primera Division champions Independiente are enduring another frustrating campaign, with Ricardo Zielinski's side languishing in 19th position ahead of their meeting against Huracan this weekend.

Previously one of Argentina's most successful clubs, El Rojo have triumphed domestically on only one occasion since the turn of the century, while all seven of their Copa Libertadores titles came up until 1984.

However, they did win the Copa Sudamericana - South America's secondary continental competition - in 2010 and 2017 to defy their fallen giant status, and it is not totally out of the question just yet that they could qualify for that tournament.

They will certainly need to rediscover some form sooner rather than later if that is to happen, though, with a home match against a side beneath them in the table representing the perfect opportunity to do so.

Indeed, Huracan have lost four of their last five matches in all competitions without even scoring a goal, with the only exception during that run being their 1-1 draw at home to Newell's Old Boys last weekend.

Globo's historical success is much more modest than their forthcoming opponents, of course, with only one top flight title in 1973 to their name since triumphing on four occasions during the 1920's.

However, after building on an eighth-placed finish in the previous campaign to secure fifth spot and qualification for the Copa Libertadores, Sebastian Battaglia will be disappointed with how things have gone this time around.

Battaglia's side were dumped out of the Copa Sudamericana at the group stage, and they appear to be in freefall having only won two of their last 25 games in all competitions, with another defeat leaving them at risk of falling to the bottom of the table.

Independiente Argentine Primera Division form:

W

L

D

L

W

L

Huracan Argentine Primera Division form:

D

D

L

L

L

D

Huracan form (all competitions):

L

L

L

L

D

L

Team News

Independiente will be without Rodrigo Marquez due to a serious ACL injury, which is set to keep the 21-year-old sidelined until at least late October.

Baltasar Barcia is suspended after being sent off for a second bookable offence during his side's 3-0 defeat to Union last time out, so Luciano Gomez could start at right-back.

Huracan, meanwhile, will have Ivan Gonzalo Valenzuela and Santiago Gaston Lujan both available despite them being sent off against Guarani in the Copa Sudamericana in midweek.

Battaglia may look to name the same starting XI that ended their losing streak with a 1-1 draw against River Plate in their last league game.

Independiente possible starting lineup:

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

Huracan possible starting lineup:

Chavez; Soto, Torrent, Sauro, Carrizo, Benitez; Hezze, Fattori, Gauto; Mazzanti, Coccaro

We say: Independiente 2-0 Huracan

Huracan's form has been miserable of late, with Battaglia's side failing to even score on numerous occasions, and we can envisage Independiente making it 10 points from 12 from their last four league games at home.

Previews by email