Banfield can put some distance between themselves and relegation when they host Rosario Central on Monday at Estadio Florencio Sola.
Coming into this matc, El Taladro are winless in their last five domestic encounters, falling 1-0 to Estudiantes last Friday, while Rosario are eyeing a place in the Copa Libertadores, currently a point behind Talleres for third in the Argentine Primera Division.
Match preview
Match after match, we have seen inconsistencies and unpredictability from Banfield, who have turned to the experienced Julio Cesar Falcioni to try and steer them back on course.
This will be his fifth stint in charge of a side which he guided to the 2009 Apertura title in Argentina, and he brings with him a solid resume, winning a league trophy for Banfield and Boca Juniors, while also leading the latter to a Copa Argentina title in 2012 and a trip to the final of the 2012 Copa Libertadores.
His early days as manager this time around have been difficult, with El Taladro suffering a pair of narrow defeats to San Lorenzo (2-1) and Estudiantes (1-0).
Their last three goals conceded in this competition have all come in the second half, while they have not scored in the final 45 minutes of any domestic home game this season, having been shut out of six league fixtures at Estadio Florencio Sola.
One of the few things which has remained consistent for them in 2023 has been their ability to hang onto a result, as all of their points this season have come when they have drawn first blood.
Their 1-0 victory over Rosario in 2022 was their first triumph against them in this competition since 2018, while they have not beaten them at home in the top flight since 2017.
The month of May has gone well for Rosario Central, unbeaten in its four matches played in all competitions, conceding just once domestically over their last three games.
Miguel Angel Russo's men have managed to keep their opponents off the scoresheet on seven occasions over the 2023 league campaign, though they have given up their share of multiple-goal games, with over half of their goals conceded coming away from home (14 of 20).
Unlike Banfield, this team have regularly made their opportunities count, notching the third-most goals of the campaign thus far (25).
One of the things preventing them from climbing into a Copa Libertadores position has been their inability to protect an advantage, squandering seven points when leading in the second half.
Many of those blown leads have come from individual errors, as this group have not defended well against opposing players who are skilful and have lots of flair and creativity.
On the flip side, they have come back to earn at least a point four times in the league this season, often taking advantage of some late set-piece opportunities.
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Team News
Alexis Maldonado, Matias Gonzalez and Dylan Gissi are all expected back in early June from ACL injuries, Mateo Perez should be recovered from his head injury by then, while Banfield will also be without Luis Mago and Alejandro Cabrera, who are suspended.
In their previous home fixture, Juan Bisanz notched his team-leading third goal of the campaign, the only one they would manage in a 2-1 defeat to San Lorenzo.
The last time they faced Rosario in this competition, former winger Agustin Urzi found the mark, while Facundo Cambeses stopped six shots to preserve the clean sheet.
Rosario could be without Alan Marinelli for at least one more match as he is still dealing with a broken foot, Carlos Quintana sustained a shoulder injury in their victory over Defensa y Justicia (2-1), while the timeline for Walter Montoya is late July as he recovers from an ankle issue.
Before going off injured versus Defensa, Quintana scored the equalising goal three minutes after his side had conceded the opener, while Victor Malcorra put home the winner early in the second half, his fourth of the campaign.
Jaminton Campaz, Facundo Mallo and Ismael Cortez all netted for Rosario at the Copa Argentina on Wednesday versus Central Norte, while an own goal from Enzo Suraci helped them to a 4-1 triumph.
Banfield possible starting lineup:
Cambeses; Coronel, Maciel, Olivera, Insua; Bertolo, Remedi, Rios, I. Rodriguez; Chavez, Sanchez
Rosario Central possible starting lineup:
Broun; Cortez, Mallo, Komar, A. Rodriguez; Mac Allister, Ortiz; L. Martinez, Malcorra, Campaz; Veliz
We say: Banfield 1-3 Rosario Central
Eventually, the impact of Falcioni could pay dividends for Banfield, but Rosario have too many weapons that are in fine form at the moment and should find a way through their opponents' defensive setup in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joel Lefevre
