On Saturday we'll witness a decisive match for the future of this league. America's champion will receive home the Leprosos ready to jump into the top fight without hesitation. Upon Joaquin Boghossian's awakening, Roberto Sensini's boys are ready to grab the Pincha by the horns and return to Santa Fe with a victory.
Will they be able to stand against Juan Sebastian Veron's team? Pincha's success for the Copa Libertadores will probably lean the match to their side, as the Leprosos will not be able to count with Rolando Schiavi nor Joaquin Boghossian (The first due to an injury that's been keeping him off the fields for the last weeks, the latter being suspended upon last week's match)
The surprise
Marcelo Estigarribia has been the key man to make Newell's join the top fight, and his presence for this Saturday match will be almost confirmed. Team's coach is having a hard time trying to make its team midfield as strong as possible, as without their top striker they'll need as much ball control as they can, especially considering most of Estudiantes' players are experts in the midfield.
Young Hernan Villalba will probably have a place within the starting eleven, coupling with Lucas Bernardi to sharpen team's offensive. Schiavi's place will probably be guarded by Juan Quiroga, who performed at its peak during last week's third-category match against Boca Juniors. Agustin Alayes will have to face its former team, and he knows Sensini will take advantage of any spot unguarded.
Back to basics
After an important draw for the Copa Libertadores, Estudiantes will be able to focus their forces on the Clausura, and one of the most expected returns will probably be the Gata Fernandez, as the striker has not been able to play for the Pinchas since last year's, and there are still a few details to ultimate with Tigres De Monterrey, former Gata's team.
Rodrigo Braña has shown some sparkles of greatness during week's training, Mauro Boselli is just two goals away from the top of the scoring table, and by his side we'll be able to see Jose Sosa.
Juan Sebastian Veron will have the duty to conduct the ball towards their opponent's area, as he knows their opponent will try to reduce the spaces to take advantage of their individual capabilities, so .
A five-player defense line has been tried during the week, but it's not totally convinced Alejandro Saballa, so Maxi Nuñez might have a place within the starting eleven to pose the biggest possible threat to the Lepras.
During Lanus' match team's coach declared team "was solid, compact and felt like protagonist, though we lacked precision to score" Standing just 5 points below the leader having played one match less than most of the other teams, upon a victory Newell's might have a chance to reach as close as possible from the first position.
Historical facts
It's been eight matches since Estudiantes was lastly defeated by Newell's while playing in La Plata. Estudiantes has the historical advantage, having won 48 games of the 130 matches they played, though the Pinchas scored two more goals (197 to 195) Newell's obtained 47 victories, and 35 draws. Roberto Sensini will be eager to even the score upon this match, and much is expected of this game, as this is one of the most prolific encounters in the league, as on the last eight matches 36 goals were scored (4.5 per game on average)
Watch out for this match, as only one of these two teams will be able to join the top fight, while the other will leave La Plata knowing a lot of work will be needed to recover their path towards glory.
