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 

All Boys - Racing Club

Argentina Primera Division, Clausura

All eyes will be fixed on All Boys, to see if they can continue their great run of form from Apertura, which saw them finish in the upper part of the table, and far from the relegation worries from the start of the season. Racing won't be an easy opponent, but I think that goals should not be absent here. In Apertura, at home, All Boys have an average of 2 goals scored per match, while also conceding 1 per match, so if that continues, the over shouldn't be a problem tonight. Morale is good, and all the players are looking forward to Clausura, especially Cristian Fabbiani, who lost a few kilograms, looked very lively in the training sessions and pre-season friendly matches, and looks determined to get back to his old form. Racing is also a team that is usually looking for the goals, and they have plenty of players capable of taking any chances they get. Their main offensive trio, Giovanni Moreno, Hauche and Luguercio, are all confirmed to start tonight's game, and this promises to be a very competitive match from both team's part. If the line would have been set at u/o 2 goals, I would have gone with medium stakes, as I can't see anything less than 2 goals scored, but the current line is still good enough, but with some lower stakes. GL!

over 2.25 goals @ 2.00, 3/10

Result: 0-1, LOST

Racing Club - River Plate

Argentina Copa Ciudad de Mar de Plata -Torneo de Verano

Racing has to move on from the tragedy that struck them last week, and from the spanking that Estudiantes gave them in their first match (although they were using youngsters for that match). Nothing is certain for this match against River, but it looks very likely that Racing's coach will use the regulars. That means that Moreno, Luguercio and Hauche will form the offensive trio, and they are often deadly when it comes to it. Meanwhile, River will use a mixed team, with the majority consisting of reserve players. Only one player in every section will be a regular and an experienced player, otherwise just the ones that didn't feature regularly in the Apertura. Moreover, in defense will start for the first time a 17 year old player, and it will be interesting to see how well he copes with the pressure of facing some great offensive players. River are also going to play against Boca on Saturday, and most of their focus should be there. The Torneo de Verano Cups have always been a secondary objective for River, as the only thing that counts for them is to win Copa Desafio and Copa Revancha, both played against Boca. Racing should be well motivated to win in the memory of their physio, so I'm counting on them to do the job. GL!

Racing DNB @ 1.78, 4/10

Result: 3-1, WON

Racing Club - Velez Sarsfield

Argentina Primera Division, Apertura

I'm going for the surprise here. Velez need to win and hope that Estudiantes doesn't, in order to win the title, or at least to force a deciding match between them. But in South America, unlike in most European countries, the rest of the teams don't bend over in the last round, and don't let the title hopefuls on a free run to the title. And we've seen this over and over again (Apertura 2009 - Banfield and Newell's were fighting for the title, and both teams lost in the last round; Clausura 2010 - Estudiantes drew at home against relegated Rosario Central, in the penultimate match of the season, gifting the title to Argentinos). So why can't we see something similar today? Especially since both teams are having very tough games. Racing is a very tough to beat team, especially when they are playing at home. They have a great offensive trio, Moreno-Hauche-Bieler, and they are scoring goals like crazy (all of them are expected to start). Of course, Velez's offense is even better, with Silva and Martinez topping the top scorers table, but if Estudiantes takes an early start, I seriously doubt their motivation. Thei away form also isn't as frightening as it should, so I think they'll have a lot of fighting to do. Odds are set like this only based on Velez's 'need to win', but in Argentina, that need to win usually means squat, and Racing not to lose looks like a nice bet. GL!

Racing (+0.5 AH) @ 1.82, 4/10

Result: 0-2, LOST

Racing Club - Arsenal Sarandi

Argentina Primera Division, Apertura

Pretty high odds for the over in my opinion, in a match between 2 teams that are not goal-shy. Especially when playing at home, Racing does it very well, and scores quite a lot for this league, and has already scored 12 goals in 6 games, most of them thanks to offensive midfielder Moreno, who is in exceptional form. And in front of him will play today Hauche and Bieler, players that are always capable of scoring, and especially Hauche seems also in quite a nice form. Racing is gunning for a Libertadores ticket, and they need to gun it hard, so anything else than a victory is not an option here. Meanwhile, Arsenal are the surprise package of this Apertura, and are looking to remain at the leaders' back, as with 3 points today they will move back to 4 points behind Estudiantes, and if things go ideal for them, we could see a showdown for the title in the last round, when they play in La Plata. But I seriously doubt they'll be able to keep it up until then. Striker Leguizamon is also in good form, and if there are some opportunities for him, I'm sure they'll make them count. The 2 goals line for this match seems like an underestimation of the game, and I'll gladly take it, as I don't expect anything below a minimum of 2 goals. GL!

over 2 goals @ 1.79, 4/10

Result: 2-2, WON