Preview: Tigre vs. Velez Sarsfield - prediction, team news, lineups

Juan Manuel Sara will look to begin his tenure as Tigre boss with a win when his side plays host to Velez Sarsfield on Thursday.

While the hosts are without a win in seven league games, Velez Sarsfield have failed to record a victory in 12 top-flight matches.

Match preview

Despite claiming a 2-1 victory over Academia Puerto Cabello in the Copa Sudamericana on June 7, Diego Martinez went into Tigre's most recent league game against Platense with pressure on his shoulders after overseeing a poor run of form.

It proved to be Martinez's final game in charge of the club as Nicolas Castro's second-half effort condemned Tigre to a fourth defeat in five matches.

El Matador have moved quickly to find Martinez's successor, recruiting Sara from fellow Argentine side Estudiantes.

Sara is well known to Tigre fans after spending time at the club as assistant coach to Martinez in 2021, before leaving to start his own managerial career.

The 44-year-old takes over a side that are sitting in 20th place and hold the joint second-worst home record in the top flight, but he will be hoping to make an instant impact on Thursday.

In contrast to their hosts, Velez Sarsfield head into Thursday's contest without a permanent manager after dismissing Ricardo Gareca earlier this month.

Gareca's second managerial spell with the club proved to be unsuccessful, with his 12 matches producing one win, seven draws and four defeats.

Marcelo Bravo has been placed in interim charge for the second time this season, and he managed to guide the team to a 5-1 victory over Deportivo Espanol in his first game in the dugout.

However, after cruising to a comfortable win in the Copa Sudamericana, Velez Sarsfield have gone on to lose league fixtures to both Argentinos Juniors and Racing Club.

With 18 points to their name, Velez Sarsfield are languishing in 25th place, and they will need to end a run of five consecutive away league defeats if they wish to add to their points tally on Thursday.

Team News

The hosts are expected to be without the services of long-term absentee Lucas Blondel, while Sebastian Prieto is also expected to miss out.

Mateo Retegui has been away on international duty with Italy at the UEFA Nations League finals, but he could return in time for Thursday's contest.

If the 24-year-old does start against Velez Sarsfield then he is expected to be joined in a front three by Inter Milan loanee Facundo Colidio and Blas Armoa.

As for the visitors, Juan Ignacio Mendez and Santiago Caseres are ruled out with ankle problems, while Tomas Cavanagh is sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Former Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin is expected to start in central defence alongside Lautaro Giannetti with Leonardo Jara and Francisco Ortega set to operate as the two full-backs.

After dropping down to the bench for the defeat to Racing Club, Gianluca Prestianni and Lucas Janson could return to the starting lineup.

Tigre possible starting lineup:

Marinelli; Garay, Cabrera, Luciatti, Montoya, Castro, Cardozo, Menossi; Colidio, Armoa, Retegui

Velez Sarsfield possible starting lineup:

G. Gomez; Jara, Giannetti, Godin, Ortega; Florentin, Ordonez; Prestianni, Cabrera, Janson; Osorio

We say: Tigre 1-0 Velez Sarsfield

Both sides are bereft of confidence following their respective winless runs in the Primera Division, but with a new coach at the helm, we think that Tigre could be rejuvenated, and as a result, we believe they will go on to claim a narrow victory.

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