Racing Club - Estudiantes

Argentina, Torneo de Verano

The Argentinian Torneos de Verano are about to start, and this is always an entertaining moment for the supporters. The teams, however, all have different objectives. Some of them want to test some young players that don't usually have the chance to play too much, while other teams think about the fans, and want to give them some joy in the summer time. And for this match we have exactly such teams. Estudiantes finished a poor Apertura tournament, so apparently giving their best in some friendly matches isn't their top priority. They have selected only 18 players for this match, most of them from the second and the youth squad, with only 4 players from the first squad (Nelson Benitez, Leandro Benitez, Matias Sanchez and Dominguez). Meanwhile, Racing looks more interested in winning this match, so they have called-up on 20 players, most of them being regulars. And from what looks like it will be the starting 11, we can see a very strong offensive trio, with Hauche and Teofilo Gutierrez up front, supported by the skilfull Giovanni Moreno. Sensible difference in quality between these two teams, and I feel the win should go to Racing. GL!

Racing (-0.25) @ 1.84, 2/10

Result: 1-1, HALF-LOST 

Estudiantes la Plata - Cruzeiro

Copa Libertadores

The Argentinian-Brazilian clashes are usually very heated, and both of them want to win it, regardless of the importance of the match. But apparently, for Estudiantes, their age-old rivalry with the Brazilians doesn't seem very important, nor does the revenge for their earlier 0-5 trashing in Brazil. So, with both of them already qualified, and with Cruzeiro already group winners, Estudiantes is putting their focus on the local league, and will rest several players for this final match of the group. Veron, Perez, Rodrigo Lopez and Leandro Benitez will 95% sure be rested, and at it looks very likely that others, like defenders Desabato and Fernandez, will be rested as well. All of them are very important players for Estudiantes, and will likely be missed, as in their places will feature some players that haven't played too much this season, or at all - this being the case of defender Gissi, who could make his debut. Cruzeiro is bringing all of their regulars, and will probably take this match seriously, as they look to finish the group stage as the best team, and to have the luxury of playing the worst runner-up in the competition. GL!

Cruzeiro (+0.25 AH) @ 1.94, 4/10

Result: 0-3, WON

Estudiantes la Plata - Deportes Tolima

Copa Libertadores

Estudiantes needs to make amends after last week recording their biggest continental loss of their history, the 0-5 trashing at the hands of Cruzeiro. Any other wrong step could seriously jeopardize their continuity in the cup, and a group-stage exit will be even more shameful than the loss in Brazil. Thankfully, the team reacted well after that disaster, and they managed to win their league match against Quilmes, despite resting a couple of players, including Veron. Now, it's 'guns blazing' for Estudiantes, and nothing but a win will help them. Everyone at the club looks motivated and focused, so I think we can expect a good match from them. Tolima was the surprise package of the play-off stage, knocking-out Corinthians, but honestly, you can't get any more pathetic than the Brazilians were. In the first group match, they won 1-0 against Guarani, and it's a fair result, although they had to suffer a lot before the final whistle: the goal came late, in the last 10 minutes... in the first half they missed some huge chances, while in the second half Guarani started playing, and actually managed to create some panic in Tolima's defense. Estudiantes probably won't make the same mistake, and I expect them to make their game, as Tolima's away tactics are defensive, using a single forward. Won't take a higher handicap because if the goal comes late, Estudiantes will be happy to defend it, but a win for the Argentinians should be a sure thing. GL!

Estudiantes (-1 AH) @ 1.69, 5/10

Result: 1-0, VOID

Estudiantes la Plata - Newell's Old Boys

Argentina Primera Division, Clausura

Argentina finally restarts it's league, so let's see what the front runners have reserved for this Clausura. Estudiantes of course wants the title, and they have a solid base on which to build, following their Apertura triumph. They were exceptional at home last year, winning all their 9 games, and only conceding a single goal. But things could be a bit different this season, as they have a new coach, Eduardo Berizzo, who will make his debut, and Estudiantes could be too big for him so early in his career. He said to favor an offensive style, similar to Marcelo Bielsa's style (from whom he learned a lot), so this could mean that Estudiantes won't be that defensive rock which we're used to. Newell's is also reported to be using an offensive formation for this duel, and their new signing, Claudio Bieler, is planned to feature in attack, hoping to regain his LDU Quito-form. Attacking Estudiantes might prove worth to try, as you rarely get anything from them if you focus solely on defense. The hosts certainly have the power to win, and void this bet on themselves (2-0 is very probably), but I'm also counting on Newell's to respond. GL!

over 2 goals @ 1.84, 3/10

Result: 2-1, WON

Estudiantes - Huracan

Argentina Primera Division, Apertura

Estudiantes got a cold shower last week, after losing at Tigre, and also losing the first place in the Apertura, being overtaken by Velez, with the same number of points, but better goal difference. So, with 5 games left, Estudiantes can't afford to take any more wrong turns, if they want to avoid the previous season's disaster, losing the Clausura in the last round. Defender Desabato won't be taking part in this match, but despite that, there are overall good news for Estudiantes, as they welcome back defender Roncaglia and goalkeeper Orion. Otherwise, no problems for them, as they have fit all the players, and the offensive trio will be the usual one: Enzo Perez, Gaston Fernandez and Hoyos, with Veron and Brana close by. It's worth mentioning that Estudiantes has only victories at home, 6 on a string in this Apertura, and haven't conceded a single goal yet, while Huracan are having problems when playing away from home, losing by a pretty large difference to Olimpo, Boca, Racing or Gimnasia, teams that are all in the wrong side of the table. The handicap is a bit high, and I don't really like playing more than -1 on anyone from Argentina, but with their form, and with Estudiantes' hunger for points, I think we can expect a relaxing 2-0 here, maybe even a 3-0. GL!

Estudiantes (-1.25 AH) @ 1.80, 4/10

Result: 2-0, WON

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

LDU Quito - Estudiantes

Recopa Sudamericana

I'm on the same train as pretty much everybody else who's betting on this game. LDU's home form is just great. They haven't lost a single game in Casa Blanca in 2010, and their last final, at the end of last year, ended in a thumping 5-1 against Fluminense. And their high altitude gives them a big advantage, especially against teams that aren't used at all to play at such heights, teams from Brazil and Argentina (home advantage helped them to win Libertadores in 2008, and the Recopa and Sudamericana in 2009 - and they were undefeated at home in all of those competitions). All regulars rested on the weekend, so they should all be fresh for this match, and their squad is at full power, only Ulises de la Cruz(27/2), who is suspended.

Estudiantes seems to be moving a bit slower than last season, and they pretty much had problems in all their matches so far (needed a penalty against Newell's, scored 2 late goals against Quilmes). And for today, as has been already said, they will miss a bunch of important players: GK Orion, DF Desabato and FWs Fernandez and Lopez. And I've looked through their matches in the last years, against teams that are playing at high altitude, and since 2006, Estudiantes has never won at high altitude: 2006 - 0-1 at Bolivar and 1-3 at Santa Fe; 2008 - 0-1 at Cuenca, 0-2 at LDU; 2009 - 0-1 at Depor Quito, 0-0 at Universitario Sucre; 2010 - 0-0 at Bolivar. LDU should be at the peak of their form, and if they take the Argies hard from start, the score could give them a nice advantage for the return leg. GL!

LDU (-0.5 AH) @ 1.80, Sbobet, 5/10

Result: 2-1, WON