The final countdown has already started and now Velez failed to keep up with Estudiantes pace, Alejandro Sabella's Lions depend only on themselves to lift this year's title. It'd be the perfect retirement for Juan Sebastian Veron, who's already warned this might be his last year as a professional footballer.

Boca Juniors celebrated an important victory over Arsenal in La Bombonera and it seems Roberto Pompei will once again save Boca ship from sinking. Sergio Araujo's excellent performance against el Viaducto has granted the young winger an opportunity in the starting squad.

River receives Omar De Felippe's Aurinegros in a decisive clash for the bottom fight, while Pablo Morant's Lobos take on Omar Asad's Tombas.

Gimnasia faces a third consecutive powerful rival to kick off Apertura 16th around. Pablo Morant's Lobos have succeeded at rescuing an important point against Banfield and Velez Sarsfield but the two consecutive draws have left them far too behind River on the relegation fight.





Godoy Cruz said goodbye to the title fight two weeks ago as Quilmes celebrated its first victory in the tournament against Asad's Tombas.





Wizard David Ramirez will be playing a decisive role at the Forest to help Godoy Cruz secure three decisive points for the Libertadores fight and what could be Tomba's first presentation in America's most challenging tournament.





Omar Asad recovers Diego Villar for this game but is likely to miss Jorge Curbelo who continues its endless struggle with injuries.





Young Fernando Monetti played his first game guarding Gimnasia post in the Primera Division and is expected to be within the starting squad that'll receive Godoy Cruz on Friday unless Gaston Sessa recovers his form for the game.





Gimnasia looks forward to celebrate a fourth consecutive week undefeated as they claim decisive points to maintain the category.



Having claimed only two points in the last four games, Ramon Diaz's Cuervos will be visiting Sarandi eager to straighten their path in the Apertura.





Uruguayan striker Sebastian Balsas has been once again left out of the starting eleven. "I don't understand why this happens to me. I never got into troubles with Ramon Diaz, never argued with a team mate" he said regarding his absence.





San Lorenzo coach is thinking on adopting an overly aggressive formation to asphyxiate Arsenal on the midfield. Leandro Romagnoli is expected to return to the fields after a long time absence due to injuries, joining Sebastian Menseguez and Aureliano Torres on the creative department.





Cuervos captain Diego Rivero will be most surely sidelined as he struggles with injuries.





Gustavo Alfaro will be able to count with Andrés Franzoia to lead the attack but will be missing Juan Krupoviesa and Claudio Mosca on the back line.





An intense game is expected to take place in Sarandi, who'll claim the three points?



Quilmes rescued an important point in Avellaneda against Racing as Francisco Cerro score the leveller close to the hour mark. All Boys has done an excellent job avoiding the relegation fight, sitting comfortable in the 7th position with 22 points.





Leonardo Madelon's Cerveceros look forward to celebrate their third consecutive unbeaten game against Omar De Felippe's Albos. Stuck below the line of direct relegation, the last four games of the Apertura will be decisive for Quilmes to maintain their hopes of retaining the category alive.





Albo manager will have a lot to think prior to this game as his squad will be decimated with injuries: Carlos Casteglione and captain Sebastián Grazzini are ruled out for sure while Cristian Fabbiani, Juan Pablo Rodríguez, Sebastián Ereros and Lucas Rimoldi's presence will depend on the evolution of their injuries in the next few days.





A relegation six pointer that might leave All Boys in the third position.



Banfield and Racing are both in the same conditions to qualify for the Copa Libertadores and thus Saturday's late game will be of vital importance for both squads as they lock horns in the South.





It seems Julio Cesar Falcioni's time as Banfield manager is slowly running out, and the single victory obtained in the last eight games, as well as the early elimination from the Copa Sudamericana have greatly undermined the morale of the Taladros.





"If we fail to qualify for the Libertadores, then all our efforts would have been in vain, all this year's work will be lost" said Colombian international Giovanni Moreno a few days ago. Miguel Angel Russo will be missing once again team's captain Claudio Yacob as his ankle injury might rule him out once again, while Claudio Bieler, Patricio Toranzo and Martin Caceres' presence is yet to be confirmed.





"We have to be aggressive for we'll be playing against a direct rival for the Libertadores. I hope this is not as tough as Tigre's game, we're two leading candidates and no one can risk anything on Saturday" added Moreno.





It's been over five weeks since Banfield lastly celebrated a victory at the Florencio Sola. Sent off against Godoy Cruz last week, Mauro Dos Santos will be missing this game and it's not been yet confirmed who'll be joining Victor Lopez and Marcelo Bustamente in the back line. Banfield main playmaker Walter Ervitti will be responsible for feeding Ruben Ramirez with enough scoring opportunities to help Falcioni's Taladros find once again the path they need to walk.





Another six-pointer, now for the top fight. Who'll claim the full scoring?



Having claimed only three of the last eighteen possible points, Roberto Sensini's Lepras can be relegated to the 14th position upon another defeat and say goodbye to the last Libertadores qualification place.





Roberto Pompei's Xeneizes look forward to celebrate a second consecutive victory after last week's excellent performance against Arsenal. Young Sergio Araujo, who took over Lucas Viatri's place early on the 21st minute of last week's match, has been chosen to become Martin Palermo's partner on the starting squad.





Lucas Viatri was essential for Claudio Borghi's scheme but will be watching the game from the bench while he recovers fully from his injuries. Cristian Erbes will be taking over Sebastian Battaglia's place in the midfield, for the latter received his fifth yellow card in the last game.





"This is not enough, we want more, much more" said Boca head coach Pompei, who might be once again Boca's savior in times of great need.





Newell's coach confirmed he'll repeat the same players that fell 2-0 against All Boys in Floresta as he wants to give his players time to adapt to his many modifications over the last weeks. Mauro Formica will be the main playmaker with Mauricio Sperdutti and Ivan Borghello as strikers.





Boca visits Rosario in excellent form, will they prolong their success for another week?



Having defeated Liga de Quito on Thursday, Independiente advanced to Sudamericana's final and claimed the last place for next year's Libertadores. Now Antonio Mohammed's Rojos have to take on leader Estudiantes while standing in an awkward position with only 13 points after fifteen games.





Alejandro Sabella's Pinchas depend only on themselves to lift this year's Apertura as Estudiantes opened a two-point lead upon last week's victory over Huracan. "You have to give your all to be champion. We're doing better than we thought we'd be." Estudiantes head coach said. "We'll do our best to defend tooth and nail"





Leandro Desabato is likely to return to the team, boosting Estudiantes defense greatly. His presence might allow Sabella to modify his formation for a more aggressive 3-4-1-2 formation to make the most out of Juan Sebastian Veron and Enzo Perez.





Uruguayan striker Hernan Rodrigo Lopez, just recovered from a long-time injury is likely to play at least some minutes to recover his form. Former Argentinos midfielder Gabriel Peñalba is almost ruled out for injuries.





Independiente's alternate squad might benefit greatly and take advantage of team's momentum and surprise Estudiantes at the Cilindro. The leader is aware Antonio Mohammed's Diablos will try to make things utterly difficult for the Pinchas to secure the top for another week, will this be enough for the Pinchas to return home victorious?



Olimpo visits the Monumental in what could be River's glorious leap away from the bottom fight while sinking Olimpo. J J Lopez's Millonarios have not yet been defeated at home, while Omar De Felippe's Aurinegros have not celebrated a single point outside Bahia Blanca.





Olimpo manager will introduce only one modification on his scheme as Diego Galvan has fully recovered from his injuries. His presence will boost Olimpo's flow of the ball, allowing Roberto Brum to adopt a more offensive stance.





Having scored a beautiful goal against Argentinos, Marcos Aguirre will also be feeding Nestor Bareiro and Julio Furch on the attack.





Ariel Ortega and Mariano Pavone will be leading River attack while Gabriel Funes Mori -who was an essential player for River at the beginning of the tournament - has once again been left out of the starting squad.





Matias Almeyda and Walter Acevedo will be responsible for harmonizing the Millonarios and secure the full scoring against a direct rival for the category. The crowds won't be happy with anything but a victory, will they make it?



Lanus travels to Parque Patricios to take on Miguel Brindisi's Huracan, in great need of a victory not to be leapfrogged by River Plate on the relegation fight.





The hosts have lost the last three consecutive games, falling to the 18th position of the standings. Much of this has to do with Gaston Machin's injury, who was the cornerstone of Huracan attack throughout the first half of the tournament.





Diego Rodríguez might also be missing the next game for an ankle injury, and this will be a major setback for Globos' offense. Ezequiel Filipetto is likely to return to the starting squad to enhance Huracan ball recovery skills to feed Matute Morales, engine of the team.





Gabriel Schurrer received an excellent news during the week as Sebastian Blanco is ready to return to Granas' starting squad at least for some minutes. His finesse and depth of view will sharpen Lanus' attack greatly, though Schurrer will have to do without Marcos Aguirre, struggling with an injury.





A victory might put Lanus back on track for the Libertadores fight. Who'll claim the three points in Parque Patricios?


Fernando Gamboa's Sabaleros visit La Paternal to take on Clausura champion Argentinos in an attempt to secure their ticket for the Libertadores. Pedro Troglio's Bichitos Colorados are in excellent form, having obtained 10 points in the last four games.





Argentinos coach is confident Juan Mercier's and Sergio Escudero's return will provide the needed boost to overcome Miguel Torrén's absence. Nestor Ortigoza and Gonzalo Prosperi will be the engines in the midfield to help Argentinos celebrate another victory at home.





Esteban Fuertes' recovery was decisive for Colon to get back on its feet sharpening Sabaleros' attack to its maximum. Damian Diaz has also played a major role to help Gamboa define what kind of football he's looking for in Colon.





Two rivals of equal forces meet at the Diego Armando Maradona. Who'll be victorious?


Ricardo Gareca's Velez receive Tigre on Tuesday. Caruso Lombardi's Matadores defeated Estudiantes two weeks ago and won't hesitate on delivering another fatal blow in Liniers.





It's been over two months since Tigre lastly celebrated a victory playing away. Román Martínez returns to the starting squad and it's likely he'll take over Claudio Perez's place, sent off during last week's game.





Velez failed to obtain the three points in Gimnasia's Forest, allowing Estudiantes to upon a two-point buffer zone from the top. Defenders Fabián Cubero and Emiliano Papa are evolving favorably but it's uncertain whether they'll be able to perform on Tuesday's game or not.





Gareca might choose not to risk them since the first minute as their absence would greatly undermine Velez's defensive strength.





The hosts have received only one goal so far playing at home. A victory over Tigre is mandatory to keep up with Estudiantes' pace, will they make it?