Preview: San Lorenzo vs. Rosario Central - prediction, team news, lineups

It is a battle between two teams battling towards the top of the Argentina Primera Division as third-placed San Lorenzo host sixth-placed Rosario Central on Saturday.

Just three points separates the teams heading into this contest, which should make for an entertaining affair.

Match preview

San Lorenzo booked their place in the next round of the Copa Sudamericana when they ran out 4-1 winners against Estudiantes Merida at the Estadio Pedro Bidegain on Tuesday evening.

A brace from Adam Bareiro, as well as goals from Malcom Braida and Nahuel Barrios, helped provide the three-goal swing that the Saints needed to finish in second place in Group H, and they also received some help from Fortaleza, who beat Palestino 2-1.

The Saints' attention now turns back to domestic matters, where Ruben Insua's side are winless in their last four, drawing three of those games and only scoring once during that time.

Bareiro's 58th-minute strike helped salvage a point against Estudiantes last time out and marked San Lorenzo's first goal in the league since the 2-0 victory over Instituto on May 20.

The Saints have had problems scoring goals throughout the entire season, as they have the scored the fewest amount of goals in the top 10 at this stage, alongside Belgrano.

Despite that, San Lorenzo have been brilliant defensively, conceding just eight times across their 21 league games at this point, proving how tough they are to break down.

After finishing 20th in the league last season, Rosario are having a much better campaign this time around, currently in sixth place on 35 points after 21 matches.

Their 1-1 stalemate with Colon last time out means that Miguel Angel Russo's side are now on a three-game unbeaten streak, preserving their excellent home record in the process.

Canalla currently have the fourth-best home record of any team in the Primera Division this season and are one of only two sides, along with San Lorenzo, that are still unbeaten on home soil after 11 matches, with eight wins and three draws.

However, playing away from home has been a completely different story, as Rosario have only mustered one win on their travels this season, picking up eight points in 10 games – only four teams have picked up fewer points on the road.

Team News

Adam Bareiro has scored three in his last two matches, and given San Lorenzo's recent woes in front of goal, the Paraguayan looks set to keep his place up top.

Nahuel Barrios looks set to retain his place on the left flank, while Federico Gattoni, Rafael Perez and Gaston Hernandez will make up a three-man defence.

As for the visitors, Walter Montoya remains the only notable absentee for Russo's side and is likely to be out for a while longer with a ruptured ankle ligament.

Francis Mac Allister will return from suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Barracas Central, while talisman Alejo Veliz should lead the line for Canalla.

San Lorenzo possible starting lineup:

Batalla; Perez, Gattoni, Hernandez; Giay, Maroni, Elias, Campi; Leguizamon, Barrios, Bareiro

Rosario Central possible starting lineup:

Broun; Martinez, Mallo, Quintana, Rodriguez; Ortiz, O'Connor, Campaz, Malcorra, Giaccone; Veliz

We say: San Lorenzo 1-0 Rosario Central

Given San Lorenzo's struggles in front of goal and Rosario's poor away form, we think this will be a low-scoring affair.

San Lorenzo are yet to lose at home this season, and their defensive record suggests that they will be able to keep their opponents out and edge this contest.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.