Independiente - Olimpo

Argentina Primera Division, Apertura

I going to keep going with the trend here, as I think another under is on the cards. Independiente will use a second team, in order to keep their regulars fresh between the 2 Sudamericana matches, as this week they played at home against Tolima, while next week they will have to make a journey to the height of Quito. So, the only sensible thing to do here is to rest all the players they can, since they have stated loud and clear that the Apertura doesn't interest them, and all their guns are pointed towards Copa Sudamericana, which leads to next year's Libertadores. Only the regular goalkeeper will be used, and that's a big plus for them, as he comes after some nice performances. Even with a second squad, I'm pretty confident they won't lose, as Olimpo simply lacks any value and class to remain in Primera, and to win away at some of the league's bigger names. They lack ideas and finishing, and also their defensive line is pretty much clueless. But Independiente with this line-up can't hope for too much either, as in the previous games where they used reserves (at All Boys and San Lorenzo), they pretty much lacked any depth in offense, despite scoring in both matches (against Boys they scored after a free-kick, while against San Lorenzo the goal came after a huge fault in attack). They will still control this match, and will probably manage to win it in the end, but can't see them past a 1-0, because it will be hard to break the crowded defense that Olimpo will probably field. GL!

under 2 goals @ 2.12, 3/10

Result: 1-1, VOID

Velez Sarsfield - Olimpo

Argentina Primera Division, Apertura 2010

Can't see past the home win here. And everything points out in favor of Velez: recent form, team quality, individual quality of the players, style of play, etc. Let's take it one by one... No need to insist too much on form, as the stats tables says it all: Velez with 3 wins on the run at home, newly promoted Olimpo with 4 straight defeats when playing away, also receiving 7 goals. Then, we should look at the quality of the team and players... while Velez are having top class players, like Zapata, Moralez and Silva, and so far are looking like solid title contenders (even more now that they've put the Sudamericana behund them- which is often a nuisance for Argentinian clubs), Olimpo has just average (at best) players, and by the way things are looking, they will be going back down to second division quite soon. Regarding team news, Velez should receive a boost, as they welcome back Zapata and Moralez, and that's likely to make a difference here, especially with the system 4-3-1-2 that they are looking to deploy (Martinez and Silva upfront are looking good as well). Meanwhile, Olimpo should receive quite a blow, as they will miss two important players, Marcelo Mosset (DF - 7/1) and Martin Rolle (CM - 4/0). All in all, this home win should be a lock, and even though the odds aren't great for the handicap, I just can't see this one failing. GL!

Velez (-1 AH) @ 1.76, 5/10

Result: 3-0, WON