Round nine of the 2022 Argentine Primera Division sees Defensa y Justicia play host to Independiente at the Estadio Norberto Tito Tomaghello on Wednesday.
Both teams have not had the best of starts to the new league season, and they will be looking to string together a decent run of results.
Match preview
Defensa y Justicia were beaten away from home for the third game running following a 2-0 defeat against Sarmiento Junin at the Estadio Eva Peron on Friday.
Sebastian Beccacece's men went behind to Sergio Quiroga's opener before Javier Toledo sealed the deal from 12 yards in second-half stoppage time.
The Hawks have now slipped to 24th place in the league standings and are clear of bottom-place Aldosivi by just three points after eight rounds of matches.
Coming up next is a clash versus an opposing outfit who have not lost any of the most recent six meetings between teams dating back to 2019.
Having ended a four-game winless run on home turf in their last home involvement, Wednesday's hosts now set out to record consecutive wins in front of their fans for the first time since November.
Independiente snapped a run of three straight defeats with a goalless stalemate against Rosario Central at the Estadio Libertadores de America on Saturday.
Despite recording the majority of the ball possession and territorial advantage, Eduardo Dominguez's men failed to muster a single shot on target and had to settle for a point in the end.
Managing just eight points from as many matches so far, Los Diablos Rojos currently sit 22nd in the league table albeit just three points adrift of the top half.
Still yet to pick up a league triumph on the road since April, Wednesday's visitors will be keen to get going away from home as they look to breathe life back into their league campaign.
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Team News
Having directly played a hand directly in four of his side's seven league goals so far, Nicolas Tripichio is definitely one to keep an eye on.
Adonis Frias made his return to action last time out, and the 24-year-old is on course to retain his place in the starting lineup for this one.
Argentine defender Juan Rodriguez will not be available for the home side after recently completing a season-long loan move to Rosario Central.
Once again, Independiente are set to be without Leandro Benegas, who continues his spell on the treatment table due to a hamstring problem.
Damian Batallini was only fit enough for a second-half cameo last time out, but we expect him to get the nod to feature right from the off this time around.
Defensa y Justicia possible starting lineup:
Unsain; Colombo, Frias, Cardona, Soto; Tripichio, Gutierrez; Dominguez, Albertengo, Togni; Fernandez
Independiente possible starting lineup:
Sosa; Rodriguez, Laso, Barreto, Vigo; Romero, Marcone; Fernandez, Batallini, Hachen; Ferreyra
We say: Defensa y Justicia 1-1 Independiente
There is very little to separate the sides right now, and we expect a tight affair in this one with the teams cancelling each other out and settling for a point apiece in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adepoju Marvellous
