Preview: Talleres vs. Barracas Central - prediction, team news, lineups

Two teams fighting around the bottom end of the Argentine Primera Division table will do battle on Saturday, as Talleres entertain Barracas Central.

A crucial win last time out saw the visitors climb to 21st spot, leapfrogging their opponents who now sit 23rd.

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Match preview

Talleres will certainly have been encouraged by their start to the Argentinian top-flight season, as they began with a 2-0 victory at home to Sarmiento thanks to goals from Federico Girotti and Enzo Diaz.

Things have not gone to plan for La T since, though, as they now find themselves winless in the last five league outings, firstly suffering consecutive defeats at the hands of Independiente and Newell's Old Boys after that opening triumph.

They were then, at least, able to add a point to their tally through a draw with Arsenal Sarandi, before falling to a third loss of the campaign against Central Cordoba and salvaging a point away at Tigre thanks to Matias Catalan's late equaliser.

While they will be concerned by their form in the early stages of the league campaign, Pedro Caixinha's side should be encouraged by their latest outing, as the away leg of their Copa Libertadores contest against Colon ended in a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Girotti and Angelo Matino.

Now on the back of reaching the final eight of the continent's top competition, La T will aim to get back on track domestically at the weekend and pick up a victory to kickstart a climb up the division.

Their opponents will also arrive with renewed confidence, after they bounced back from a poor start to the season with a much-needed triumph last time out.

After beginning with consecutive draws, Barracas Central went on to suffer back-to-back defeats at the hands of Union and Boca Juniors, immediately finding themselves at the wrong end of the division with just two points from four outings.

Alfredo Berti's side would then pick up a slightly more pleasing result, drawing 1-1 away at high-flying Banfield after initially taking the lead through a Luciano Abecasis own goal, before continuing their search for a first win as they hosted San Lorenzo last week.

The Baraquenos were successful in that regard, taking all three points on Sunday as Neri Bandiera hit the decisive goal in a 2-1 victory, immediately after Bruno Sepulveda's opener was cancelled out by an Adam Bareiro equaliser.

Having already climbed to 21st place in the 28-team league thanks to that win, Berti's men will have their sights set on quickly scaling the top flight at this early stage with what would be a second straight triumph on Saturday.

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Team News

Talleres could make some changes to their starting XI after triumphing over Colon in the Copa Libertadores round-of-16 on Wednesday, given the quick turnaround.

Former River Plate frontman Federico Girotti should continue to lead the line, though, having netted his sixth goal of the season in that win.

He should be supported by fellow attacking threat Matias Esquivel, while the likes of Hector Fertoli, Alan Franco, Matias Godoy and Fabio Alvarez will be left to fight for the remaining spots in the forward unit.

Barracas Central, meanwhile, could be unchanged from their first victory of the season last time out, with Berti likely to stick with his preferred diamond system in midfield.

Neri Bandiera and Bruno Sepuldeva will again line up in attack, having both gotten on the scoresheet in that game.

They will be supported by Ivan Tapia, with Carlos Arce likely continuing to sit at the base of the midfield unit.

Talleres possible starting lineup:

Herrera; Benavidez, Catalan, Perez, Diaz; Villagra, Oliva; Fetoli, Franco; Esquivel, Girotti

Barracas Central possible starting lineup:

Gagliardo; Blasi, Ferreyra, Paz, Calderara; Arce; Mater, Vazquez; Tapia; Bandiera, Sepuldeva

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We say: Talleres 1-1 Barracas Central

Barracas Central will have renewed confidence from their win last time out, but Talleres will be vying to avoid what would be another harmful defeat, and we see them taking a share of the spoils on home turf.

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