Argentine Apertura Preview - Round 13

South American pundit Dan Horlock takes a look at all the Argentine Apertura fixtures in this week's preview.

The postponement of Boca’s game against Racing last week means that Ricardo LaVolpe still has selection problems in attack with Barros Schletto suspended and Martin Palermo on the treatment table. However, he can welcome back defender Matias Silvestre from injury for the visit of Argentinos to the ‘Bombonera’.

League leaders, River Plate, travel to face an Independiente side who have lost only once at home this season. Independiente captain Daniel Montenegro, the division’s top scorer, will play against his former employers for the first time since leaving last summer while River have striker Ernesto Farias available again after suspension.

In other fixtures, the city of Rosario hosts the fierce derby between Central and Newell’s although the result will have little bearing on the standings with both teams sitting comfortably in mid-table. Estudiantes, in the midst of a five game winning streak are at home to Nueva Chicago while in form Velez Sarsfield are on the road at stuttering San Lorenzo.

Friday night’s match pits a Gimnasia (J) side that are without a win in seven games against away specialists Lanus, a team that has collected 14 of their 17 points on their travels. Banfield meet Racing, Belgrano play Arsenal and Gimnasia (LP) will look to put back to back wins together for the first time this season when they take on struggling Godoy Cruz in La Plata.

After recording their first victory of the season last week, bottom club Quilmes have moved within three points of their nearest rivals Colon, who they meet this Sunday in a real relegation scrap.

Friday 27th October 2006

Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy  v Lanus  

Saturday 28th October 2006

Estudiantes La Plata   v Nueva Chicago
Banfield    v Racing Club 
San Lorenzo    v Velez Sarsfield
     
Sunday 29th October 2006

Rosario Central   v Newell’s Old Boys
Belgrano de Cordoba   v Arsenal de Sarandi
Independiente    v River Plate
Colon de Santa Fe    v Quilmes 
Gimnasia La Plata   v Godoy Cruz
Boca Juniors    v Argentinos Juniors
    

By Dan Horlock