Seeking to snap their seven-game winless run, Lanus play host to Velez Sarsfield at the Lanus City Stadium in round nine of the Argentine Primera Division on Wednesday.
Alexander Medina's side head into the game without a win in each of their four away games in the league and will be looking to end this dry spell.
Match preview
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Lanus' defensive frailty was on show once again as they failed to protect their lead before falling to a 2-1 defeat against Godoy Cruz at the Estadio Feliciano Gambarte on Sunday.
Despite being in the ascendancy for most of the game and seeing over 60% of the ball possession, the Granate were left empty handed once again as Salomon Rodriguez and Martin Ojeda struck to cancel out Jose Sand's fifth-minute loner and hand the hosts all three points.
This was a second successive defeat at the hands of Rodolfo Diego Flores's side as they were beaten 3-1 by the Tomba when the sides squared off in the round of 32 of the Copa Argentina on July 13.
Lanus have now failed to taste victory in any of their last seven outings across all competitions, managing one draw and losing six since a 1-0 home win over Colon on June 19.
With five points from their opening eight games, Jorge Almiron's men are currently bottom but one in the Primera Division standings, level on points with 26th-placed Talleres and one above rock-bottom Aldosivi.
Lanus' underwhelming start to the season has been in no small part owing to their struggles at the defensive end of the pitch, where they have shipped 13 goals in the league so far — with only Aldosivi (14) conceding more.
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Meanwhile, Velez Sarsfield failed to find their feet last time out as they could only salvage a 2-2 draw with River Plate when the sides faced off at the Estadio Jose Amalfitani.
Lucas Beltran and Nicolas de la Cruz scored either side of Walter Bou's 21st-minute penalty strike to hand Los Millonarios a first-half lead, but Abiel Osorio came up clutch for the hosts as he grabbed a 93rd-minute equaliser.
Velez Sarsfield head into Wednesday winless in each of their last four outings across all competitions, claiming two draws and losing twice since their 1-0 victory over River Plate in the first-leg of their Copa Libertadores last-16 clash.
El Fortin have now managed just one league win this season, picking up three draws and losing four of their opening eight games to collect six points and occupy 25th place in the league standings.
However, Velez Sarsfield will be backing themselves to return to winning ways on Wednesday as they square off against an opposing side who have lost each of their last three meetings in all competitions, conceding 10 goals and scoring just three.
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Team News
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Lanus remain without the services of 21-year-old forward Pedro de la Vega, who is yet to feature this year after coming off with a severe injury back in December.
Matias Perez is also a doubt for the hosts after the Argentine defender was forced off injured late into the game against Godoy Cruz last time out.
Meanwhile, Velez Sarfield will have to cope without the services of 28-year-old defender Lautaro Giannetti, who has been sidelined since April through an ACL injury.
With his assist against River Plate last time out, Nicolas Garayalde has now been involved in three goals in seven appearances this season and the 22-year-old should retain his place at the centre of the park, alongside teenager Maximo Perrone.
Former Boca Juniors striker Bou opened his account for the season in the aforementioned game and the 28-year-old should spearhead the attack once again, teaming up with skipper Lucas Pratto in the final third.
Lanus possible starting lineup:
Monetti; Aguirre, Aguilar, Ortellado; Di Placido, Loaiza, F Perez, Gonzalez, Aude; Sand, Varaldo
Velez Sarsfield possible starting lineup:
Hoyos; Jara, Los, Gomez, Ortega; Garayalde, Perrone; Janso, Orellano, Bou; Pratto
We say: Lanus 1-2 Velez Sarsfield
Lanus and Velez have failed to hit their stride in the new campaign and will both head into Wednesday seeking a morale-boosting victory. Lanus have lost six of their last seven games in all competitions and we are backing the visitors to heap their misery by coming out victorious, albeit by a slender margin.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
