Argentina |San Lorenzo - Racing Club - 2 @ 3.35
TEAM NEWS
Once again, San Lorenzo go into a game with an enormous injury list. Bernardo Romeo returns from his suspension, though, so they will at least have a bit of a presence up front. Omar Asad remains under pressure, but is still the boss; it was rumoured a bad result in their last match would see him sacked, but they managed a 2-1 win away to Velez Sarsfield with a goal right at the death.
Racing have Lucas Castro out still with the calf strain he picked up last weekend but otherwise have no injuries to worry about, and didn't pick up any fresh suspensions in their 1-0 home win over Newell's Old Boys on Wednesday night.
San Lorenzo
Suspended:
Doubtful: Carlos Nahuel Benítez (knee ligaments); Aureliano Torres (thigh); Jose Palomino (right thigh)
Injured/unavailable: Diego Martinez (right fibula); Gaston Aguirre (knee ligaments); Sebastian Luna (sprained right knee); Nestor Ortigoza (right aductor)
Racing
Suspended:
Doubtful:
Injured/unavailable: Lucas Castro (right calf)
MATCH PREVIEW
San Lorenzo are not in a good position at the moment, finding themselves very much involved in the relegation fight having seemed after a couple of matches to be pulling clear of it. Racing are more concerned with keeping in touch with the title-chasers, although they can't entirely stop looking over their shoulders in the relegation table just yet. Racing continue to look improved since Gio Moreno's return, whilst San Lorenzo's massive injury list is still severely hampering them. With Omar Asad under pressure in spite of victory after the last game, the side will go into this match with a massive need to pick up three points, whilst Racing seem to have risen above such pressures themselves and are much more reliable under Diego Simeone. They lack a truly clinical touch – Teo Gutierrez is good for a goal a game, but should arguably score more, as illustrated in the first against Newell's during the week – but have a solid defence. Nestor Ortigoza's absence in particular is going to be a major headache for San Lorenzo in this match, since quite aside from being one of their best players, he'd have been ideally positioned to try and break up Gio Moreno's playmaking for Racing. I think the visitors will win this one.
HEAD TO HEAD
The last ten matches between these sides have resulted in five wins for San Lorenzo and three victories for Racing. There have been two draws, both in 2009.
