Preview: Rosario Central vs. Colon

Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Argentine Primera Division clash between Rosario Central and Colon, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Rosario Central will be looking to go three games unbeaten in the Argentine Primera Division when they play host to Colon at Estadio Gigante de Arroyito on Sunday.

The hosts played out a 0-0 draw against Barracas Central in their last match, leaving them in sixth place in the league, while the visitors pulled off an excellent home win against Estudiantes which saw them move up a spot into 18th.

Match preview

After finishing 20th in the league last season, Rosario are having a much better campaign this time around, currently on 34 points after 20 matches, just four points behind San Lorenzo in third with a game in hand.

Their stalemate against Barracas Central takes their recent record to four wins, four draws and two losses in their last 10 league matches, but their undisputed strength this season has been their home form.

Canalla currently have the best home record of any team in the Primera Division this season and are one of only two sides, along with San Lorenzo, that are still unbeaten on home soil after 10 matches, with eight wins and just two draws.

In all competitions, Rosario are unbeaten in their last 17 home matches, stretching all the way back to August last year, and they come into this one riding a four-match winning streak in which they have scored an impressive 14 goals and conceded just three.

Miguel Angel Russo’s side are also unbeaten in their last four encounters against this opposition, and with the form they have shown at home this season, another three points will undoubtedly be their target in this match.

Colon moved up a spot in the league standings after beating Estudiantes in their last match, but being placed 18th at present is a long way from the seventh-placed finish they managed last season.

That win over Estudiantes brought an end to a four-match winless run and was only their fourth win in 20 games this term, which is the second-lowest of any side, with only Velez Sarsfield recording a lower tally.

Only one of those four wins have come in their 10 away matches, while their other nine league fixtures on the road have seen them record five draws and four losses.

Adding to the concerns for Nestor Gorosito will be his side’s evident lack of goals on their travels, as they have now failed to score in six of their 10 away matches this season, including the last four coming into this one.

While their season may not be going exactly according to plan, the visitors have been difficult to beat, currently possessing the highest number of drawn matches in the league this season with 11, and considering Rosario’s solid home form, Colon will likely be the happier of the sides if they can take a share of the spoils here.

Rosario Central Argentine Primera Division form:

Colon Argentine Primera Division form:

Team News

Walter Montoya remains the only injury absentee for Russo’s side and is likely to be out for a while longer with a ruptured ankle ligament.

Francis Mac Allister’s omission will be a forced one as he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Barracas Central, which should see Gino Infantino start alongside Kevin Ortiz in the pivot.

Ismael Cortez started the last two matches in place of Damian Martinez and is likely to get the nod here again, while further up the pitch, talisman Alejo Veliz should lead the line for Canalla.

Colon’s skipper Paolo Goltz has missed his side’s last three matches with a foot injury and will join Joaquin Ibanez, who is suffering from a muscle injury, on the sideline for at least another week.

Santiago Pierotti will also be unavailable for selection due to an accumulation of yellow cards, which could open the door for Jorge Benitez to make a rare starting appearance alongside Ramon Abila in attack.

Stefano Moreyra’s straight red against Central Cordoba means that he will also be unavailable for selection, as he serves the final match of his three-game ban in this one.

Rosario Central possible starting lineup:
Broun; Cortez, Mallo, Quintana, Rodriguez; Ortiz, Infantino, Campaz, Malcorra, Giaccone; Veliz

Colon possible starting lineup:
Chicco; Garces, Nardelli, Delgado; Meza, Perlaza, Picco, Alvarez, Schott; Benitez, Abila

We say: Rosario Central 3-1 Colon

Having not lost any of their last 17 home matches, and with the visitors winning just one of their last 10 on the road, it is difficult to go against the hosts claiming another scalp and taking the points in this one.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data

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