As the Clausura enters its sixth week it still may be premature to talk about championship deciders, but nevertheless this crunch game will tell us a lot about Racing's title pretensions and their legitimacy. Miguel Angel Russo's team have been in imperious form so far, but face their biggest challenge of the year against last year's champions Estudiantes.
"A team that wins, is never touched", is the slightly clumsy translation of a wise Argentine proverb, and Russo is a wily enough customer not to change the XI that have won the last three in impressive fashion. Argentina representatives Claudio Yacob and Ivan Pillud came back unscathed from international duty so La Academia once more line up in an attacking 3-4-3 formation; watch out for the attacking trident of Teo Gutierrez, Gabriel Hauche and Pablo Luguercio that has helped the team harvest 10 goals in its last three outings.
Estudiantes have been far from the relentless machine that stormed to the title last year, with Alejandro Sabella's departure and Copa Libertadores commitments taking its toll on a team which has already lost as many games as in the entire Apertura. As proved by a storming victory midweek against Guarani however the Pincha are still a force to be reckoned with; what remains to be seen is how much their continental exertions drained the team with a league game just three days later.
Prediction: Coming up against the best defence in the country it would be a big surprise if Racing repeated their free-scoring ways for a third game running, and the Pincha's quality at set-pieces should worry a home team who have looked less than secure in dead ball situations. Colombian hitman Teo Gutierrez however has looked unstoppable, bet on him to hit La Academia's solitary goal in a 1-1 Draw
Saturday's Action:
No games on Friday (for reason's only the AFA will know) means a packed schedule over the weekend, starting with Quilmes hosting Independiente at 2pm thanks to Buenos Aires temperatures cooling to slightly less than the surface of the sun. Quilmes still haven't registered a point in the Clausura, but a relegation dogfight against the Rojo is the kind of match pugnacious new coach Ricardo Caruso Lombardi was born to direct.
Caruso enjoys a good scrap on the field and on the bench
An interesting game between inconsistent Godoy Cruz and Lanus follows, before All Boys look to heap more misery on embattled Colon coach Fernando Gamboa with a win which would also once more lift them away from relegation worries. River Plate finish off the day's action with a tough visit to Arsenal de Sarandi; the Millo experienced defeat for the first time in 2011 last week, and could be in for a tough time against a confident Arse; although Juan Pablo Carrizo's return in goal is a big boost.
Sunday's Action:
Newell's Old Boys enjoyed the dubious distinction last week of becoming the first team to lose to Independiente in almost six months of domestic action. The Lepra welcome Argentinos Juniors to Rosario in a match they have to win, but won't find it easy against the only unbeaten team remaining in Argentina and their Paraguayan striking maestro Santiago Salcedo.
Velez Sarsfield-San Lorenzo fixtures have become notorious in recent years for tepid play on the pitch and far more spectacular violence in the stands, as witnessed in last year's 0-0 tie in Bajo Flores which featured a savage chair-throwing fight between supporters. Both teams will be hoping the focus remains on the field this Sunday in what wil undoubtedly be a tight encounter.
The walking headline-generator Juan Roman Riquelme meanwhile returns to action for Boca Juniors against Olimpo after four weeks on the sidelines, in a match the Xeneixe have to win to partially clear the storm clouds gathering over the Bombonera.
Monday's Action:
Two games finish the sixth round of fixtures on Monday evening, starting with a must-win game for Gimnasia against a tricky Tigre side down in La Plata. High-flying Banfield meanwhile will hope to continue their winning run against Huracan, although the Globo have shown far more fight since taking on former Boca assistant Roberto Pompei as the latest person to clear the malaise in Parque Patricios.
Full Fixtures and Predictions:
Quilmes A.C. 1-0 Independiente
Godoy Cruz (Mza.) 2-2 Lanús
All Boys 2-1 Colón
Arsenal F.C. 1-1 River Plate
N.O. Boys 1-2 Argentinos Jrs.
Vélez Sarsfield 0-0 San Lorenzo de A.
Racing Club 1-1 Estudiantes L.P.
Boca Jrs. 3-1 Olimpo (B. Blanca)
G. y Esgrima L.P. 2-1 Tigre
Banfield 2-0 Huracán
