Racing vs Arsenal de Sarandi Prediction: Fernando Gago's club must win

Racing has won their last three league games in Argentina. In the next round, the club from the suburbs of Buenos Aires face Arsenal Sarandi at home. Will the hosts be able to extend their winning streak?

Racing is still only seventh in the Argentinian league, but they are only two points behind 1st place. The Avellaneda defence looks the most solid, with Emiliano Insua and Lucas Orban having played in Europe, and they are regularly included in the starting line-up for good reason. The club has recently strengthened their defence by acquiring Jonathan Galván, who has already made his debut for Racing. Emiliano Vecchio, Matias Rojas, Mauricio Martínez and Gabriel Arias are all out injured.

In the last 4 rounds, Fernando Gago's side has never lost, picking up 2 wins. After beating Liga side Independiente (1:0), Racing drew (0:0) with Newell's Old Boys the day before. The club from Avellaneda seized on the initiative but created no splendid chances.

Arsenal Sarandi is unbeaten in seven games in a row, but it is fair to mention five draws in that stretch of play. Such peacefulness has prevented the club from climbing above 13th place in the standings, although the gap from the leader is only 5 points. Christian Coleman, who had scored four goals in six games this season, recently left Arsenal. The club has also parted ways with Leonel Picco and that could affect the results soon. Brian Sanchez and Lucas Brochero are both out, the latter making 7 appearances this season.

In the last round of the Professional League, the team drew 1:1 with FC Platense. For a long time, the teams could not create any chances, and it was only in the 2nd half that they exchanged goals. Arsenal Sarandi allowed their opponents too much while they only took six shots on goal and narrowly missed the chance to level the scores in the closing stages. The departure of Picco and Kollmann may have been the reason for the lack of attacking play, as it was their goals that won the game just a couple of rounds ago.

Arsenal Sarandi needs time to get their attacking game under control, but even at home, they are struggling to create chances at the other side's goal. Racing is also far from perfect of late, so even one goal can make all the difference. Last week's head-to-head encounter was in favour of the home side, and they can play even better at home than they did a year ago.

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