TEAM NEWS
Newell’s Old Boys boss Diego Osella will be without Diego Mateo, a key midfielder who was sent off in his team’s 1-0 win away to Quilmes two weeks ago. Osella will have the new centre back he was asking for at his disposal: Leandro Vega has arrived from River Plate in exchange for Denis Rodriguez, who goes in the opposite direction. The coach is also contemplating the selection of Juan Sills who would replace the suspended Mateo. In addition, attacking midfielder Mauro Formica is a doubt, due to a muscle injury. If he can’t start, Mauro Matos will play in a 4-4-2 formation.
Tigre’s Oliver Benitez won’t be available due to a muscle injury. Mariano Echeverria will play instead of him as centre back. It is believed that there will be two more changes: Kevin Itabel and Gaspar Iniguez might replace Jorge Rodriguez and Paulo Lima, with Martin Galmarini taking place as right back. Following Javier Garcia’s serious knee injury, Tigre have signed Nelson Ibanez from Racing. He arrived on Thursday, so he is expected to be on the bench. The rest of the squad are available to travel to Rosario.
MATCH PREVIEW
Newell’s Old Boys found their opening match against Quilmes difficult but still managed to beat their hosts and started the season on a happy note. It wasn’t a superb performance, especially in the first half, but even after Diego Mateo’s sending-off the team were not disheartened and scored the winning goal 15 minutes later. This victory allows Newell’s to put the relegation threats behind them – at least for a while. The team have lost only one of their last 11 league matches at home, winning five of them.
Tigre were playing a very even game against Estudiantes, but Ignacio Bailone’s goal at the end of the first half changed everything. Tigre conceded their second goal in the first minute of the second half and then had a mountain to climb, with the game endingin an overwhelming 3-0 win for Estudiantes. Tigre won their last match away 1-0 over Sarmiento, but before that, they were 12 league games without a win, losing seven of them.
Newell’s Old Boys will extend their good start against one of the worst travellers in the league. Home win.
HEAD TO HEAD
There have 56 previous meetings between these two sides: 49 in the top flight, six in the second tier and another for Copa Suecia (a domestic cup in the 1950s), which Newell’s Old Boys won 4-1. The team from Rosario have recorded 29 wins in total while Tigre have won only 11 times. In Rosario, Newell’s advantage is even bigger as they have won 21 of the 29 matches played since 1939. Tigre have only managed two victories, in 2010 and 2011.
