Argentine Apertura Preview - Round 9

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

After gaining a fortuitous win at Nueva Chicago last Sunday, Boca went 2 points clear at the top of the Apertura after both River and San Lorenzo faltered in week 8. However, Ricardo LaVolpe’s team will need to drastically improve this weekend as they welcome high-flying Velez to the ‘Bombonera’.

In other fixtures, second placed River visit Belgrano, San Lorenzo will want to get back to winning ways as they entertain Diego Simeone’s Estudiantes while another top of the table encounter pits fourth placed Arsenal against an inform Lanus side who are yet to be beaten on their travels this season.

Friday night’s game sees Colon return to Santa Fe for the first time since the coin throwing incident and subsequent abandonment of their match against Velez. They face Newell’s Old Boys who are on a 5 game unbeaten run. Racing make the long trip north to Jujuy to take on Gimnasia (J), Banfield play Nueva Chicago while a Kily Gonzalez inspired Rosario Central will be hoping to make it 3 wins in their last three games when they host lowly Godoy Cruz on Sunday. Independiente will view their match against Gimnasia (LP) as an opportunity to get back to winning ways and bottom club Quilmes will go in search of their first three points of the season at home to Argentinos.

Friday 29th September 2006

Colon de Santa Fe    v  Newell’s Old Boys

Saturday 30th September 2006

Arsenal de Sarandi    v  Lanus
Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy  v  Racing Club
San Lorenzo     v  Estudiantes La Plata

Sunday 1st October 2006

Independiente     v  Gimnasia La Plata
Banfield     v  Nueva Chicago
Rosario Central    v  Godoy Cruz
Quilmes     v  Argentinos Juniors
Boca Juniors     v  Velez Sarsfield
Belgrano de Cordoba    v  River Plate

By Dan Horlock