Two sides separated by just one point and two places in the top half of the Primera Division table go head to head on Sunday as Banfield play hosts to San Lorenzo at the Estadio Florencio Sola. Diego Dabove 's side head into the weekend fresh off the back of securing a place in the round of 16 of the Copa Argentina and will look to keep the juggernaut rolling. © Reuters Banfield continued their charge to the Copa Argentina title as they claimed a 2-1 home victory over Union in the round of 32 last Wednesday.
After Mauro Luna Diale and Jesus Datolo scored for either side to end the first half all square, Emanuel Coronel netted shortly before the hour mark to send the hosts through to the last-16. El Taladro now turn their sights to the Primera Division, where they were sent crashing down to earth in their most recent outing on July 9 courtesy of a 3-2 loss at the hands of Union. Prior to that, Dabove's men were on a five-game unbeaten run in the league, picking up three wins and two draws while scoring seven goals and conceding twice in that time.
With 11 points from seven games, Banfield are currently 10th in the Primera Division standings, level on points with 11th-placed Patronato and one above Sunday's visitors in 12th place. © Reuters On the other hand, San Lorenzo returned to winning ways in style last time out when they came from behind to see off a floundering Boca Juniors side 2-1 at the Estadio Pedro Bidegain. After falling behind to a 28th-minute opener from Marcos Rojo , Augustin Giay struck 10 minutes later to restore parity and end the first half level before Adam Bareiro completed the turnaround in the 54th minute.
Prior to that, Ruben Dario Insua 's men suffered their first league defeat of the season on July 3 when they were beaten 2-1 by 14th-placed Barracas Central at the Estadio Islas Malvinas. While San Lorenzo have been solid in attack, scoring 10 goals so far, they have struggled to get going at the opposite end of the pitch, where they have conceded eight and managed two clean sheets. © Reuters Banfield will make do with the absence of Mauricio Cuero once again as the Colombian forward continues his long road to full fitness after sustaining an ACL injury last November.
Fellow forward Jeremias Perales is also set to sit out his sixth consecutive game after picking up an ankle problem in the match against Arsenal Sarandi back in April. Alexis Maldonado has also been sidelined since early March through a cruciate ligament injury and the 24-year-old defender remains out of contention for the hosts. Barring any late fitness issues, Federico Gattoni should be the only absentee for San Lorenzo as the Argentine defender is suspended after crossing the yellow card threshold with his booking against Boca Juniors.
Bareiro continued his red-hot streak in front of goal last time out and we expect the 25-year-old Monterey loanee, who has five goals in seven league games, to spearhead the attack once again. Banfield possible starting lineup: Bologna; Coronel, Mago, Maciel, Abecasis; Domingo, Galoppo, Cabrera; Gonzalez, Enrique; Urzi San Lorenzo possible starting lineup: Torrico, Hernandez, Zapata, James; Giay, Elias, Rosane, Mercau; Cerutti, Bareiro, Barrios With each of their last three meetings ending all square, we anticipate another thrilling contest as both sides take the game to each other in search of all three points. However, we are backing Banfield to build on their cup win and pick up all three points this weekend.
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