Sunday's Argentine Primera Division predictions including Defensa vs. Lanus

Instituto vs. Tigre (Sunday, 7.30pm)

A pair of sides separated by a single point in the Argentine Primera Division will square off on Sunday at Estadio Presidente Peron as Instituto take on Tigre.

El Glorioso Cordobes are unbeaten in their previous two league fixtures, drawing 0-0 at Argentinos Juniors earlier this week, moving just ahead of El Matador, who were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Banfield.

We say: Instituto 1-0 Tigre

We have seen a lot more urgency from Instituto since Dabove took charge, and we believe that, along with their improved defensive shape, will propel them to a narrow victory this weekend.

Platense vs. Sarmiento (Sunday, 7.30pm)

Platense and Sarmiento will both hope to bounce back from consecutive Argentine Primera Division defeats on Sunday, when they square off at the Estadio Ciudad de Vicente Lopez.

The two teams sit just a single point and place apart in Argentina's top flight, with the hosts one point better off in 15th spot after 23 league outings.

We say: Platense 1-1 Sarmiento

With the two sides boasting similar quality and having had similar seasons in the Primera Division, while both looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats, we cannot pick a winner on Sunday and instead opt for a share of the spoils, which would at least halt a possible losing run for Platense or Sarmiento.

Velez Sarsfield vs. Godoy Cruz (Sunday, 10.00pm)

With just four games to go in the Argentine Primera Division first phase, Velez Sarsfield will be hoping to pull further away from the bottom of the table when they take on Godoy Cruz at Estadio Jose Amalfitani on Sunday.

The hosts could record their third consecutive win in this match, which is something they have not managed so far this season, while the visitors have been building some momentum in the final stretch and are out to prolong a four-match unbeaten streak in all competitions.

We say: Velez Sarsfield 1-1 Godoy Cruz

While the visitors are unbeaten in their last four matches, the three wins they managed in that time all came on their home patch, and the one away game they played ended in a draw.

They have been the better side this season to date, but the hosts' confidence is at an all-time high, which we feel levels the playing field and could result in them cancelling each other out.

Banfield vs. Arsenal (Monday, 12.30am)

Bottom club Arsenal Sarandi travel to Estadio Florencio Sola to take on third-bottom Banfield in the Argentine Primera Division this weekend.

The hosts head into Sunday's showdown on a two-game winning streak, while the visitors have lost each of their previous four league encounters.

We say: Banfield 2-0 Arsenal Sarandi

While Banfield have kept eight clean sheets in 12 home league games this season, Arsenal Sarandi have lost each of their last eight away outings, firing seven blanks in the process, so we expect the hosts to claim another shutout victory on home soil.

Defensa vs. Lanus (Monday, 12.30am)

Defensa y Justicia will be looking to leapfrog Lanus in the Argentine Primera Division table on Sunday evening, when the two sides face off at the Norberto Tomaghello Stadium.

The hosts are now fifth in the standings after a recent uptick in form, while the visitors are in fourth place, just one point above their opponents.

We say: Defensa y Justicia 1-1 Lanus

Lanus have made a habit out of drawing on their travels, sharing the spoils in three of their last four away games, and with both sides very evenly-matched, we are expecting them to play out a closely-contested draw this weekend.

That result would suit third-placed San Lorenzo to the ground, but they face a very tough test at home against league-leaders River Plate, meaning the door may be open for Defensa y Justicia or Lanus to close the gap.