Estudiantes - Gimnasia

Argentina Primera Division, Apertura

This will be another encounter of El Clasico Platense, and as usually in recent years, both teams come into this match with opposite objectives. Estudiantes is once again fighting for the title, while Gimnasia is again near the bottom of the table, and in the fight to avoid another relegation play-off. Despite being already knocked-out of Sudamericana, Estudiantes has been in great form in the league, winning 5 out of 7 matches, and another win in El Clasico will see them take over the lead in the Apertura. Boselli's departure can still be felt in their scarce goal-scoring abilities, but they make it up by team-force. Especially impressive they have been at the back, as they received only 3 goals, despite facing some teams that tend to score (Banfield, Godoy, Boca). For today, they be pretty much with a full squad, and all the regulars are expected to start.

Gimnasia didn't seem to change since last season, as they have the same issues. They seem incapable to attack properly, so they resort to bulking up the defense, and in such an important match, I expect the same approach. In their away games, they have lost all 3 of them, without scoring a single goal, so I really doubt they will be able to do so against such a well organized defense as Estudiantes has. Two important absences for them also make them sure victims, as they won't be able to count on their two forwards Graf and Neira, so it's hard to see them scoring against a team that hasn't yet conceded a single goal in 3 home games. Moreover, Estudiantes has won all the Clasicos that they hosted since 2005, and I strongly believe they can record a solid victory today. GL!

Estudiantes (-1 AH) @ 1.98, 4/10

Result: 2-0, WON