Fecha 8, Clausura 2011 - Preview and predictions

Preview and predictions for the eighth round of games in the Clausura 2011 tournament.

Preview

It's going to be a tough job to beat last week's score of 10 points, (six correct results & two exact scores) but I'll give it a go.

Independiente have not won in 23 away games (in all competitions) since a win at Banfield on 17 April 2010, their game in La Plata against Gimnasia y Esgrima must represent one of their best chances to break this dismal run, however they have suffered six consecutive league defeats in away games against Gimnasia since a 1-1 draw back in 2002. The last time they won this fixture was way back in Clausura 1995, which they have followed with a run of twelve defeats and that single draw.

Argentinos Juniors are still the only unbeaten team in the league but with five draws in their seven games they start the weekend down in 9th position. They are unlikely to win against Banfield given that they have lost four of their last five visits to Banfield and have not experienced victory there since a 0-2 win in Apertura 2004. There have not been fewer than three goals in this fixture since then but this season Argentinos have the best defence in the division with only two goals conceded in their seven games so far.

All Boys are in danger of dropping into the automatic relegation places unless they can rediscover their home form and get a decent result against Lanús. All Boys have not managed a home win in four league games since beating Banfield on 3 December 2010. Lanús have lost all three of their away games so far in the Clausura but they must be high on confidence after their 4-1 demolition of Racing last weekend. The three previous top flight meetings between these two sides have all resulted in home wins, one win apiece back in 1977 and a 1-0 home win for Lanús in Apertura 2010.

Olimpo suffered their first home defeat of the Clausura last weekend and they face another tough home tie against Vélez Sársfield this weekend. They are still the joint top scorers in the division with 14 goals in their seven games but they face a Vélez side who have come into a good run of form with four consecutive wins in all competitions. Last time these two sides met in this fixture back in 2008 Vélez recorded their first ever away win against Olimpo and I fancy them to repeat the trick this weekend.

Newell's Old Boys and Arsenal have been pretty much evenly tied in their eight previous meetings in Rosario with two wins apiece and four draws. Newell's have the leakiest defence in the division however I fancy them to go back to basics and tighten up at the back for this game.

Racing Club have seen their title ambitions rocked with two consecutive defeats and a midweek training session bust-up between Teó Gutiérrez and Mauro Dobler. They need to get their tournament back on track with a win against Tigre who's only away wins since September have come against teams that were lying rock bottom of the table (Independiente in February & Quilmes in March). Since Tigre's return to the top flight in 2007 this fixture has resulted in two 0-0 draws and a 1-0 win for Racing and Tigre have not won at Racing since 1955.

On Sunday Godoy Cruz host Huracán with both sides defending five game unbeaten records. Godoy Cruz are the joint top scorers in the division but have a patchy home record and have never beaten Huracán in a top flight game in four attempts (two draws & two defeats).

San Lorenzo should be able to record a home win against Colón, they have only ever lost one home game against Colón (a 1-4 defeat in 2005) and their home record against them reads; Won 15, Drawn 5, Lost 1. This is a must win game for San Lorenzo if they hope to win the championship given their history of dominance in this fixture however Colón have gone three away games without defeat with seven of their ten points so far coming away from home.

Quilmes manager Ricardo Caruso Lombardi offered to resign after his side's 0-0 draw against Argentinos Juniors last weekend however with two draws he is one of only two unbeaten managers in Clausura 2011. His side face a tough task to beat River Plate having only won once in their last nine games against them home or away. River are hoping that Rogelio Funes Mori will pass a fitness test, however Leandro Caruso couldn't have done much more to earn a place in the side than score two goals last weekend.

Boca Juniors host league leaders Estudiantes in the last game of the round. Boca have not won a home game against Estudiantes in the last three attempts, their last win in this fixture being a 4-0 win back in April 2006.


Predictions

As the results come in I will fill in the actual scores and colour code the predicted scores, green for exact score, yellow for correct result and red for completely wrong. Each green score gets three points, each yellow score gets one point and red scores get nothing. If you fancy playing along fill out your predictions in the comments below to see if you can beat mine.

25-03-11 Prediction
Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) 1-2 Independiente 2-0
Banfield 0-2 Argentinos Juniors 1-1
26-03-11
All Boys 0-0 Lanús 1-2
Olimpo 1-2 Vélez Sársfield 2-3
Newell's Old Boys 2-2Arsenal 1-1
Racing Club 1-2 Tigre 1-0
27-03-11
Godoy Cruz 3-1 Huracán 2-2
San Lorenzo 1-2 Colón 3-0
Quilmes 0-1 River Plate 0-1
Boca Juniors 2-1 Estudiantes 0-0

Score: 5 Points.

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