Seeking a third win on the bounce for the first time since September 2022, Instituto play host to Independiente on Thursday as the Argentine Primera Division returns to action after a five-week break.
The Red Devils, who have also won their last two matches, journey to the Estadio Presidente Peron unbeaten in each of their last five games against the home side and will be looking to extend this dominant run.
Match preview
Following the conclusion of the Copa America, Instituto will be eager to pick up where they left off before the break as they look to continue their fine start to the new Argentine top-flight campaign.
El Glorioso Cordobres picked up consecutive wins for the first time since February last time out as they beat 10-man Newell's Old Boys 2-0 when the sides squared off at the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa.
In a game where Rodrigo Fernandez received his marching orders, 26-year-old Gaston Lodico opened his account for the season to put the visitors ahead in the eighth minute before Ignacio Russo doubled their lead with a 57th-minute strike.
Instituto have now gone unbeaten in four of their opening five league matches — picking up three wins and one draw — with a 1-0 defeat against Huracan at the Estadio Tomas Adolfo Duco on May 26 being the exception.
Diego Dabove's men have picked up 10 points from a possible 15 in what has been a solid start to the campaign and will be backing themselves to surpass their performance from last season when they picked up 30 points 27 games to finish 18th in the table.
While Instituto set out in search of a third victory on Thursday, they will need to be at their best as they take on an opposing side whom they have failed to get the better of in their previous five encounters, losing three and claiming two draws since December 2013.
Independiente, on the other hand, were among the few sides in action during the break as they picked up a 1-0 victory over Paraguayan powerhouse in a friendly matchup last Tuesday.
Matias Vera picked up a 42nd-minute red card to hand Independiente a numerical advantage and they would make this count in the second half as Alex Luna struck in the 70th minute to hand them a deserved victory.
Independiente now turn their attention to the Primera Division, where they have struggled to find their feet in the new campaign, winning just one of their opening five matches.
This victory came in their final outing before the league break as they edged out a dogged Banfield side 2-1 at the Estadio Libertadores de America on June 13 thanks to goals from Santiago Lopez and 33-year-old striker Gabriel Avalos.
Having picked up just six points from the first 15 available, head coach Julio Vaccari will hope that his side can build on their friendly victory over Banfield and put together a fine run of form as they look to improve on their forgettable 2023-24 campaign.
Independiente won just six of their 27 league matches last season while losing 11 and claiming 10 draws to collect 28 points and finish 24th in the Primera Division table, just six points above rock-bottom Arsenal Arsenal de Sarandi.
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Team News
Instituto will take to the pitch without 37-year-old midfielder Roberto Bochi, who is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a patella tendon rupture back in April.
Santiago Rodriguez has enjoyed a fine start to the season and the 26-year-old striker, who has four goals and one assist in the opening five games, should lead El Glorioso Cordobres' attack, alongside strike partner Russo.
Lodico was involved in both goals against Newell's Old Boys last time out and the former Lanus man should retain his role in midfield, alongside Nicolas Dubersarsky, Jonas Acevedo and Damian Puebla.
Meanwhile, Independiente remain without the services of 21-year-old midfielder Santiago Toloza, who has been sidelined since picking up a severe ankle injury in March.
He is joined on the club's injury table by veteran defender Julio Buffarini, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines through a knee problem.
Instituto possible starting lineup:
Roffo; Cerato, Requena, Alarcon, Rodriguez; Acevedo, Dubersarsky, Lodico, Puebla; Russo, Rodriguez
Independiente possible starting lineup:
Rey; Salle, Fedorco, Laso, Perez; Marcone, Mancuello; Martinez, Millan, Lopez; Avalos
We say: Instituto 1-1 Independiente
Having stumbled into the new campaign, Independiente have picked up two wins from their last two outings and will return to action in the league with confidence. However, Instituto have proven tough to crack this season and we predict they will hold the Red Devils to a share of the spoils in front of their home supporters.
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