Boca Juniors and River Plate, with their stars injured will be giving its new promises a chance to show their skills to the world. Watch out for Banfield vs Estudiantes and Velez vs Argentinos, as well as Independiente vs River, three matches of utmost importance for the future of this league.

Friday's first match will be huge, as both teams played a decisive role in Argentina's league during the last year. Now, their squads have been dismantled and little is left from the former Apertura and American champion, respectively.





Banfield has won the last five matches played, and given a triumph against the Pincha, Julio Cesar Falcioni will repeat last year's record of eighteen points in six matches. Marcelo Carrusca and Julio Barraza are still struggling with injuries, but even without them Drill's coach has been able to arm a deadly machine for any rival. For this match Emilio Zelaya might play his first match for the Taladro, and he might finally be the perfect replacement for Papelito Fernandez's, whose departure left team's attack severely weakened. Cristian Garcia, having scored the two goals that have granted Banfield the first six points should be taken seriously into consideration for this match, in which Banfield's future will be called.





Alejandro Sabella will have a tough enigma to solve prior to his match against Banfield, for Rodrigo Lopez's successful debut -scoring against Quilmes- was shadowed by the Tendinitis the player experienced during the week which might stop him from performing. Lopez joins the long list of injured players in Estudiantes, and this comes at the worst possible time, with Gaston Fernandez injured too. For this reason Leandro Gonzales may be the only Pincha striker against Banfield, strengthening the midfield with a 4-5-1 formation. Cesar Taborda will be responsible for keeping Estudiantes' goal shut for this match, with experienced German Re strengthening Pincha's back line. Who will bag this six-pointer?



Ricardo Sensini is not worried by the fact Newells has only been able to claim one point in the whole tournament, as team's coach is accustomed to rough beginnings. "We must remain confident and don't lose our heads. Our rival will play with our anxiety, and we should not let him win" were his words regarding this match. Having received a red card during the last match, Mauricio Sperdutti will be forbidden from performing, forcing Sensini to call Luciano Vella to lead Newell's offensive in the right wing. Ignacio Fideleff and Luis Rodríguez's recovery will allow Newells to finally perform with their strongest eleven against Tigre. Diego Mateo is the engine that's making Newell's machine advance despite the circumstances, will they be able to stand against Caruso Lombardi's boys?





Two consecutive defeats have sank Tigre to the bottom of the positions table, and the lack of results is starting to cast a cloud over Caruso Lombardi's head, as the team will be forever compromised with the Relegation fight unless they find a new path soon. Three reinforcements will play their first match for the team: Román Martínez, Esteban González and Pablo Cáceres, and with their contribution maybe team's coach will be able to rescue the Tigers before they drawn. Team's top striker Gaston Diaz called for the rest of the players to remain strong "We need to leave this behind and do things in the right way from now on. this bad situation could only be countered with hard work" were his words.



Hugo Tocalli was expecting an easier time on the first match of the Apertura, as Quilmes should obtain every possible point to secure the category, and the long list of reinforcements would mean nothing without some impact on the results. Diego Torres and Danilo Gerlo joined the team during the week and might have their first match wearing Brewers' shirt against Lanus. The whole squad is fully fit to face this challenge, will they succeed on this week's test?





For this week's Derby Luis Zubeldia will be able to count with Sebastian Blanco, finally recovered from a long time injury as well as Mario Regueiro, whose right ankle has finally healed. These great news come at a time of great need, as Marcos Aguirre's foul behavior during the last match granted him a red card, weakening Lanus' creativity in the middle. A draw will be meaningless for both teams, who would bag a victory at the Derby of the South?



Liniers will hold one of the hottest matches of this round, as the Clausura champion is struggling to find its path towards the top on this tournament and Ricardo Gareca's players need to obtain as much points as possible during these first matches to be able to face both the Copa Sudamericana and the Apertura on equal forces. Nicolas Otamendi's departure is day after day closer, and his absence will be a massive blow for Fortin's back line. Velez's coach declared his team's essence is the same of the one that was crowned champion back in 2009. Velez is one of the few teams that could retain most of his figures for this season, as well as acquiring some experienced players to sharpen their play. Watch out for Santiago Silva, an Uruguayan deadly striker ready to claim the top of the striking table for his own.





Argentinos' coach Pedro Troglio will have another challenging match, as if the suffered draw against Independiente home wasn't enough, now the Little Devils will have to travel to Liniers to face a giant. "I'm happy, we're walking on solid ground" were his declarations concerning the point taken from Independiente's hands. Nestor Ortigoza's red-card during last week's match was decisive, stopping Argentinos' ball flow and offering a vital space for their rivals to play. Now Troglio will have to do without the Paraguayan and without Cachete Oberman, team's electric winger struggling with an injury at the moment. With only one point after two weeks, this match will be a must-win for the devils. But the rival is not known by its mercy, who will claim this decisive match?



This match might not attract major international attention, but both teams need a victory to escape from the middle of the positions table and secure their place fighting above ground. Omar Asad might not be able to count with three players for this match, as Jorge Curbelo, Leonardo Sigali and Israel Damonte are struggling with injuries and their presence has not yet been confirmed. Godoy Cruz's current top striker David Ramirez was the main responsible for last week's draw against San Lorenzo, and his presence against Olimpo will be once again determinant, especially with so many absences on Asad's squad. Last tournament Godoy Cruz fought jealously to claim a title for the first time in their history, will they be able to ride once again towards the top?





Olimpo's followers could breath some fresh air thanks to the Aurinegro's victory over Gimnasia La Plata in Bahia Blanca, and now they need to capitalize that victory with another good result to escape from the danger zone an advance to more serious fights. Omar De Felippe might count with Diego Galvan's return for this match, strengthening right wing's creation and offering another perspective to lead the attack. Aerial play is one of the strongest fronts for Olimpo Decisive matches will be waiting ahead for Olimpo, will they be able to jump on the title fight before being relegated to the bottom?



Another of this week's Derbies, Racing and San Lorenzo are living two different realities and only one of them will be able to leave Avellaneda smiling. Racing, standing at the top of the positions table, has shown clear signs of improvement from the last tournament, as Giovanni Moreno's joining gave Miguel Angel Russo a whole new perspective of the possibilities of his squad. The same eleven players that defeated Boca Juniors will receive home the Ravens, and in the bench Racing's last reinforcement Gino Clara might be waiting for his turn after a successful season playing for Huracan. Claudio Bieler and Pablo Luguercio will lead the offense, and it's granted San Lorenzo will have to stand against some furious players, will Racing retain the top by Monday?





Ramon Diaz and his Cuervos will have a tough trip to Avellaneda this week, as the team is missing an integral player to act as a bridge between the offense and the defense. Sebastian Balsas might have his first shot within San Lorenzo's starting eleven, as the Uruguayan giant scored three goals during week's training and might be chosen over Fabian Bordagaray, of weak performance during the first two matches. San Lorenzo's three man back line have proven to be vulnerable against an aggressive rival, and for this reason team's coach might choose to strengthen his back line with a fourth defender, as Racing's firepower is truly fearsome. Pablo Migliore is still fighting to recover and guard Cuervo's goal against Racing, his former team.. Will he make it to take San Lorenzo to the top?



Diego Cocca has been an integral part of Gimnasia's strategy, saving the team from the relegation fight during the Clausura and finding a way to fight even higher in this tournament. But something went wrong, and the Wolves are now starving at the 17th position with only one point. Alejandro Capurro and Fabian Rinaudo might not be able to perform, and for that reason Cocca might go back to team's classic 4-4-2 formation after the failure of the three-man defense used against Olimpo. To make things worse, Lucas Landa and Hugo Iriarte are struggling with injuries. In these circumstances Pablo Fontanello and Claudio Graf might play their first match for the squad, will they put the team on their shoulders and change Gimnasia's destiny?





Antonio Mohammed will have a tough defensive problem to deal with, for Ariel Garce and German Rivarola will both be unable to perform and this will leave little options for Colon's coach to face their rival. At least Joaquin Larrivey's expected return from the Italian football will fortify Mohammed's offense, and with enough pressure he might stop his rival from creating dangerous opportunities against Sabalero's goal. Last week's defeat against Banfield severely lowered team's spirit, and the only way to revert this situation is bagging a victory against Gimnasia. Colon has an experienced squad that is almost unstoppable when fully focused, will Mohammed be able to return from the Enchanted Forest with three points?



River and Independiente will play the most important match of this round, as both teams have been regarded as candidates for the title, even though their performance has been rather disappointing the last two weeks. River managed to claim every possible points, but many weaknesses were shown in the process. Independiente, on the other hand, has not been able to capitalize its offensive power into goals, and for that reason Daniel Garnero's team is drifting at the middle of the positions table.





Team's winger Maxi Velazquez was heard criticizing the team for his joining came with the promise of Lucas Mareque leaving the team to join the European football. Lanus' former defender is anxious to be within Independiente's starting eleven, and for this derby he might have his first chance to show his worth to the coach. Sebastian Battion's absence will call for desperate measures, as Independiente is lacking a creative player in the middle to lead the advance without him. German Pacheco and Nestor Silvera have been partially isolated in the last meters, and the situation could become even worse without a bridge between the two fronts. Young Fernando Godoy will probably take over Cristian Pellerano's place, still unable to perform.





Miguel Angel Cappa knows he assumed a serious responsibility when he decided to take command of the Millo's cruise, fighting for the category for the first time in their history. Thanks to a heavy presence in the market, River is know ready to face the most important tournament of its history. Without Ariel Ortega (sent to the rest room during Huracan's match in the middle of a controversy), Cappa will opt for young Manuel Lanzini to assist Diego Buonanotte leading the advance, with Rogelio Funes Mori as the only striker. Matias Almeyda will play a key role thanks to his ball recovering skills for the Millonarios, as River is having some defensive problems that could only be shadowed with a strong midfield. A draw won't be enough for any of the team, who would claim the three points?



Both Arsenal and Huracan are standing at the upper half of the positions table thanks to a solid victory. Two "minor" teams would have to show their worth to join the top fight, if only for a few hours. Something changed for Arsenal after last week's victory, and the confidence boost given by the three points could be felt throughout all Sarandi. Gustavo Alfaro declared he was "in peace after the victory, as the debut match against Lanus had us very worried on our future". Luciano Leguizamon is the main responsible for this situation, having scored the two winning goals against Tigre, and his role against Huracan will be determinant. Ignacio Bogino will be missing another match, struggling with an injury on his right knee. The same eleven players that defeated Tigre will receive home Huracan, will they retain the three points home?





Hector Rivoira is aware his team needs to improve in many things to fight for the title, but the efficiency of the team in the last meters have granted them a place at the top. The team was slowly drowning under a 4-4-1-1 formation, as this was stopping the team from creating as many offensive opportunities as possible. For this match Huracan's coach will give Diego Rodríguez and Mariano Martínez a chance within the starting team, allowing Huracan to have two play makers leading the offense on a 4-3-2-1 formation. Matute Morales and Rolando Zarate will be responsible for keeping a constant pressure on Arsenal's defense, will the Globo be able to return home with three points below their arms?



The third round of the Apertura will close when Boca Juniors visits All Boys on Sunday's night. The match will be played in Parque Patricios, on Huracan's ground, as All Boys' stadium is not ready for a match of this magnitude. During the week Cristian Fabbiani looked sharp and furious, scoring two goals in thirty minutes, and he might play his first match for the Albo against the Xeneizes. Fernando Sanchez, scorer of the goal against Velez Sarsfield is struggling with injuries but All Boys' coach wanted to follow his evolution before making his call. All Boys need to obtain its first point soon or their permanence at the Primera Division would be nothing but a dream.





Claudio Borghi's boys have always had trouble when facing an upcoming team. Boca's debut for the Apertura did not live up to the expectations of the crowds, as the many reinforcements are not responding as expected. Riquelme's ever hurting knee will forbid him from performing once again, but this time young Marcelo Cañete will have a shot within the starting squad. Cañete has similar skills to Riquelme, and his abilities would come in handy when facing Albo's sturdy back line. Boca's 3-4-1-2 formation depends in the efficiency of Pablo Mouche and Martin Palermo in the last meters, unable to score during the first two matches. Jesus Mendez is another player whose presence is not confirmed, as with Cañete his abilities might be exploited to its maximum. Nothing but a victory would please Boca's followers, and the advantage is clear against such unexperienced rival. Will Borghi claim his first victory with Boca Juniors?