Preview: Racing Club vs. Velez Sarsfield - prediction, team news, lineups

In their opening two games, the visitors have collected just one point, while their hosts suffered a defeat last time out after an opening victory.

Match preview

Racing Club enjoyed a strong run in the first phase of the Argentinian domestic campaign, topping their group with 30 points from 14 games, having gone unbeaten, to reach the knockout stage.

They then thrashed Aldivosi 5-0 in the first round, before falling just short of the final as they lost a penalty shootout to Boca Juniors after a goalless draw.

Turning their attention to the main league season, Fernando Gago's side began with a home game against Huracan, and they put their first points on the board as Tomas Chancalay and Jonatan Gomez got on the scoresheet in a 2-0 win.

Looking to build on their winning start, after a shock Copa Argentina defeat to Agropecuario, La Academia travelled to take on Godoy Cruz last time out, but they were unable to add to their tally, eventually falling to a 2-0 defeat as Salomon Rodriguez hit a second-half brace.

Their cause was harmed in that game by an early red card shown to Chancalay, and Gago's men will now aim to make an instant return to winning ways and move onto six points from the opening three games on Friday.

They welcome a Velez Sarsfield side looking for a first victory of the campaign, having made a slow start since finishing sixth in their first phase group.

Julio Vaccari's men kicked off the second phase of the season with a trip to Patronato, and they had to settle for a point as Lucas Janson's early opener was cancelled out by a Jonathan Herrera penalty on the stroke of half time.

Following a 1-0 victory over Independiente Rivadavia in the Copa Argentina round of 32, they returned to league action in a home contest against Platense on Sunday, and El Fortin were narrowly beaten as Ivan Gomez hit the only goal of the game with 15 minutes to go.

Now left disappointed by their slow start, Velez Sarsfield head into Friday's trip desperate to put their first win of the main domestic campaign on the board.

Racing Club Argentine Primera Division form:

Racing Club form (all competitions):

Velez Sarsfield Argentine Primera Division form:

Velez Sarsfield form (all competitions):

Team News

Racing Club come into Friday's game without winger Tomas Chancalay, who will serve a suspension after he was sent off in their recent defeat to Godoy Cruz.

Tomas Badaloni could come into the front line in his absence, while Enzo Copetti should continue to lead the line, having netted eight goals in the first phase of the top-flight season.

Further back, former Liverpool defender Emiliano Insua could again play at the heart of the back line alongside veteran Leonardo Sigali.

Velez Sarsfield have a suspension of their own to deal with, after key centre-back Matias de los Santos was sent off in the dying minutes of their defeat to Platense.

Without the Uruguayan, Miguel Brizuela is likely to come in alongside Valentin Gomez in the middle of the defence.

Winger Lucas Janson is a threat going forward, while Lucas Pratto should again lead the line.

Racing Club possible starting lineup:

G Gomez; Mura, Sigali, Insua, Piovi; Miranda, Moreno, J Gomez; Badaloni, Copetti, Rojas

Velez Sarsfield possible starting lineup:

Hoyos; Jara, Brizuela, Gomez, Ortega; Orellano, Garayalde, Caseres, Janson; Osorio, Pratto

We say: Racing Club 1-1 Velez Sarsfield

We put these sides on a relatively level playing field and cannot quite pick a winner in Friday's contest.

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