Preview: Instituto vs. Estudiantes - prediction, team news, lineups

The away side are currently fourth in the table on 31 points, nine points behind the leaders River Plate, while Instituto occupy 17th position, having picked up 20 points from their opening 17 matches.

Match preview

Instituto earned promotion from Argentina's second tier last season, so La Gloria's main ambition for the current campaign is avoiding relegation back to the Primera Nacional.

A record of five wins, five draws and seven defeats from 17 matches has seen Instituto collect 20 points, which has let them in 17th position in the table, just three points behind 11th-placed Argentinos Juniors.

El Glorioso Cordobes will enter this match off the back of a 2-0 defeat at San Lorenzo on May 20, but they did record a 1-0 victory over Colon in their last game in front of their own supporters.

Lucas Bovaglio's side have two more league games against Estudiantes and Rosario Central before switching their attention to the Copa Argentina, where they will take on Deportivo Riestra.

Instituto will certainly be the underdogs heading into this match, and they have only been victorious in one of their last six league games, suffering four defeats in the process.

Estudiantes, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 4-0 victory over Tacuary in the Conmebol Sudamericana, while they recorded a 1-0 win over Banfield in their last league game.

El Leon have been in strong form in the league this season, picking up 31 points from their 17 matches courtesy of a record of nine wins, four draws and four defeats, which has left them in fourth position.

Estudiantes are nine points behind leaders River Plate, while they are unbeaten in their last 13 games in all competitions, including their last nine in the league.

Indeed, Eduardo Dominguez's side have not lost in Argentine's top flight since the middle of March, winning seven of their last nine during an excellent run of results.

Estudiantes, who are six-time winners of the Primera Division, will follow this match with another league game against Barracas Central before switching their attention back to the Conmebol Sudamericana on June 8, with RB Bragantino their next opponents in the competition.

Instituto Argentine Primera Division form:

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Estudiantes Argentine Primera Division form:

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Estudiantes form (all competitions):

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Team News

Instituto will be without the services of their number one goalkeeper Jorge Carranza due to the red card that he picked up against San Lorenzo last time out, so Manuel Roffo is in line for a spot between the sticks.

The home side will also be missing Fernando Alarcon following his milestone yellow card last time out, while Roberto Bochi remains out with a knee issue.

Adrian Martinez has been the team's main source of goals this season, finding the back of the net on five occasions, and the 30-year-old will again feature in the final third of the field.

Estudiantes, meanwhile, will again be missing Pablo Piatti due to a long-term knee injury, but the visitors are otherwise in strong shape entering this match.

Mauro Boselli has been in strong form this season, finding the back of the net on seven occasions, and he will again feature in the final third of the field.

Santiago Ascacibar is actually the second-highest goalscorer this term with three, and the 26-year-old will continue in central midfield, while Matias Godoy is set to retain his spot in a wide area.

Instituto possible starting lineup:

Roffo; Franco, Mosevich, Cerato, Corda; Graciani, Linares, Lodico, Watson; Martinez, Rodriguez

Estudiantes possible starting lineup:

Andujar; Nunez, Lollo, Romero; Godoy, Ascacibar, Rodriguez, Sosa, Benedetti; Boselli, Rollheiser

We say: Instituto 0-2 Estudiantes

Instituto are capable of making this an uncomfortable match for Estudiantes, but we are finding it difficult to back against the visitors, who will be able to call upon superior quality all across the pitch.

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