Preview: Talleres vs. Banfield - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts have lost each of their last three home league matches without scoring, while the visitors are looking to extend their unbeaten away run to six games.

Match preview

Talleres extended their unwanted winless league run to seven games when they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat away against Boca Juniors last weekend.

With the game goalless, Rafael Perez was shown his second yellow card for a foul on Dario Benedetto inside the penalty area in the 78th minute. Benedetto had missed an earlier penalty in the first half, so Marcos Rojo stepped up for the hosts and sent goalkeeper Guido Herrera the wrong way, condemning the visitors to their fifth defeat of the campaign.

Former Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha now sees his Talleres side in 26th place with just five points from their first eight games, 11 points and 24 places worse off than at this stage of last season.

The Cordoba-based outfit will be desperate to end their current run of form and they will be optimistic about their chances of claiming maximum points on Thursday, as they have beaten Banfield in seven of their last nine meetings across all competitions.

Caixinha's men did, however, suffer a 3-1 defeat in their most recent encounter with El Taladro in April earlier this year.

Banfield, meanwhile, followed up a 2-1 Copa Argentina win over Union with a 1-1 draw in the top flight against San Lorenzo last weekend.

Twenty-year-old forward Matias Gonzalez scored his first senior goal seven minutes before half time to cancel out Adam Bareiro's 22nd-minute opener from the penalty spot.

Banfield were eventually forced to settle for just a point and Claudio Vivas's men remain in 10th place in the Argentine Primera Division, seven points clear of Thursday's opponents Talleres and four points behind the summit.

El Taladro have put together a five-game unbeaten away run in the top flight and have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three matches on the road, although this unbeaten spell could be at risk of coming to an end against Talleres, as they have suffered defeat in each of their last four visits across all competitions.

Talleres Argentine Primera Division form:

Talleres form (all competitions):

Banfield Argentine Primera Division form:

Banfield form (all competitions):

Team News

Talleres have no injury concerns at present, but they will be without the suspended Rafael Perez, with Julian Malatini the most likely candidate to replace him at centre-back.

Diego Valoyes, Matias Godoy and Alan Franco could all retain their places in advanced midfield roles in behind central striker Federico Girotti, who is hoping to end his seven-game goal drought in the top flight.

As for Banfield, Mauricio Cuero and Alexis Maldonado both remain sidelined as they continue to recover from ACL injuries.

Luciano Abecasis is expected to replace Luis Mago at left-back, joining Emanuel Coronel, Dylan Gissi and Alejandro Maciel in the back four.

In-form forward Ramiro Enrique, who has scored five goals in his last four league matches, is set to lead the line, with support provided on the flanks by Gonzalez and Agustin Urzi.

Talleres possible starting lineup:

Herrera; Benavidez, Malatini, Catalan, Diaz; Oliva, Villagra; Valoyes, Godoy, Franco; Girotti

Banfield possible starting lineup:

Bologna; Coronel, Gissi, Maciel, Abecasis; Domingo, Cabrera; Gonzalez, Datolo, Urzi; Enrique

We say: Talleres 1-2 Banfield

Talleres have fared better in games against Banfield over the years, but their recent form in the top flight makes them the underdogs heading into Thursday's contest.

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