Preview: Platense vs. Sarmiento - prediction, team news, lineups

Back-to-back draws have seen the hosts drop from top spot, but they remain fourth after four league games, while their visitors climbed into the top half after picking up a victory last time out.

Match preview

Platense kicked off their Argentine Primera Division campaign in a positive fashion, as a late Mauro Zarate penalty sealed a 2-1 opening-day win over Godoy Cruz.

They followed that up with another three-point haul in the second round of fixtures, as Ivan Gomez hit the only goal of the game in a win away at Velez Sarsfield.

While Platense have not added another notch to their wins column in the two league games since, they have preserved an unbeaten run, firstly forcing a 1-1 draw at home to Gimnasia with Juan Cruz Esquivel levelling the game in the dying embers.

They most recently took on Aldosivi and, after a goalless stalemate, head into Sunday's game in fourth spot with eight points from their opening four outings.

The Calamares will now look to add to their impressive start with a third league victory to strengthen their position at the top end of the division.

Sarmiento, meanwhile, will arrive looking to build on a win last time out, having made a mixed start to the season.

The visitors began with a trip to Talleres, and they fell to a 2-0 defeat, before putting their first points on the board in the following outing, as Lisandro Lopez hit the only goal of the game in a 1-0 home win over Argentinos Juniors.

Israel Damonte's side were unable to build a winning run on the back of that result, as the following trip to Estudiantes ended in a 2-1 defeat, with Jonathan Torres's equaliser quickly being proved inconsequential as Mauro Boselli restored the hosts' lead in the 77th minute with his second goal of the contest.

Their fortunes then took another turn last time out, as the Verde beat Patronato 3-1 on home turf with a Raul Lozano own goal and a late Javier Toledo finish wrapping up all three points after Franco Quinteros's first-half opener was cancelled out.

While they do have six points on the board after four games, Sarmiento will be keen to address their consistency and post consecutive wins for the first time this season.

Platense Argentine Primera Division form:

Platense form (all competitions):

Sarmiento Argentine Primera Division form:

Sarmiento form (all competitions):

Team News

Platense winger Nicolas Delgadillo could remain sidelined on Sunday, while the Calamares may opt to deploy a relatively similar starting XI to their recent outings.

Veteran forward Gonzalo Bergessio should continue to lead the line, likely with support from former West Ham United, Inter Milan and Boca Juniors attacker Mauro Zarate.

Alexis Sabella could again complete the front three, with Gaston Suso, Haibrany Ruiz Diaz and Juan Pablo Pignani likely lining up across the defence.

Sarmiento should have a full squad to choose from after midfielder Yair Arismendi returned from an injury issue to start against Patronato last time out.

They may also consider fielding an unchanged lineup after last weekend's 3-0 win, although Javier Toledo is pushing for a start after scoring their third goal off the game in that meeting.

Captain and 39-year-old veteran Lisandro Lopez will continue to lead the attack, likely alongside Jonathan Torres.

Platense possible starting lineup:

Ledesma; Pignani, Ruiz Diaz, Suso; Morgantini, Villalba, Gomez, Infante; Sabella, Bergessio, Zarate

Sarmiento possible starting lineup:

Meza; Bettatini, Guanani, Sauro, Rasmussen, Quinteros; Castro, Mendez, Arismendi; Lopez, Torres

We say: Platense 1-0 Sarmiento

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