Boca and Estudiantes to falter again

 

Lanús are now top after San Lorenzo beat River in last weekend's clásico, and with Boca struggling and Newell's a different side to last year, we are still waiting for  someone to challenge Guillermo Barros Schelotto's side for the Torneo Final title.

 

Ed Malyon talks you through what to expect this weekend...

 

Saturday

Estudiantes v Newell's Old Boys - 22:00

 

Estudiantes' shocking start to the season has raised questions over the future of Diego Cagna as manager, and although a single point from their first three fixtures  was just about acceptable because of the level of opposition, only drawing against a poor Colón side seemed to establish the sort of standard we can expect from Estu  this season.

 

Newell's aren't hitting the heights of last season, in fact, that's an understatement. Their weakened squad is already being overstretched by their participation in  the Copa Libertadores and it is hard to know what to expect from them anymore.

 

Last season's constants - the miserly defence and flowing possession football - are conspicuous by their absence this season, and whereas Ignacio Scocco was the icing  on the cake with his goals last season, this year he looks like the only one keeping them above the average.

 

Regardless of this, they have at least won two of their league games so far this season, and despite another poor Libertadores showing on Tuesday, there's no way they  should be 4.0 for this game - nor Estudiantes in at 2.09.

 

It's another home lay for us here, with Newell's undoubtedly the better side, even if they're frustrating at the moment.

 

Recommended bet (best bet): Lay Estudiantes at 2.14

 

Sunday

San Lorenzo v Tigre - 20:00

 

Tigre keep surprising us and a good Libertadores win in midweek is a result which brings them great credit - even if they should be concentrating on the relegation  table and staying in the top flight.

 

San Lorenzo are fighting for the same end, which makes this one a pretty fascinating battle - especially with both clubs dramatically improving over the last few  months.

 

Juan Antonio Pizzi's turnaround at San Lore has been supremely impressive, and they are now incredibly hard to beat. They have the tools to trouble any side going  forward, and showed that in comfortably beating River Plate last week.

 

With Tigre tired from their continental travails, there's more support for a home win here at 2.2, and the unders would be worth looking at - all four of SL's games have gone under 2.5 goals - if the price wasn't so short 1.55.

 

Recommended bet: San Lorenzo to win at 2.2

 

 

Atletico Rafaela v Boca Juniors - 23:15

 

Traditionally this game would be an epic mismatch but the current reality is that Rafaela will fancy their chances of a result.

 

Boca's poor performances since the return of Carlos Bianchi and Juan Román Riquelme have been tough to deal with for their fans, who assumed that bringing back two  historic success stories would guarantee the club world domination.

 

Instead, their defence has failed to get to grips with Bianchi's high line, their midfield has offered horrendously little and their expensively-assembled frontline is  about as dangerous as a vole wielding a cheesestring.

 

Boca's sole league win this season came on the opening day as they turned around a 2-0 deficit against Quilmes, but that was a great example of luck and momentum being  on their side at the end, while other sides have closed out games against them with ease, including Nacional on Thursday night who won with ease at La Bombonera.

 

A trip to Santa Fe won't be easy, and struggling to see where Boca's win would come from, we're on the draw for this one.

 

Recommended bet: Draw at 3.1

 

Monday

Lanús v Arsenal de Sarandí - 22:10

 

While Arsenal can be very proud of their draw in Sao Paulo on Thursday night, there is little doubt that it is a trip that could have its effect come Monday.

 

El Arse are punching above their weight again, with Lisandro Lopez brilliant in defence, and Martin Rolle a good addition to an already more-than-functional midfield,  but Lanús will be very tough to beat.

 

Top of the league, they've already beaten three potential title rivals in an incredibly impressive start to 2013. Arsenal are also unbeaten with two wins and two  draws, but they are yet to play any team of real quality, with their strongest opponent being 10th-placed Independiente.

 

Lanús aren't a huge price, but at 1.8 they are certainly backable and you can expect them to win.

 

Recommended bet: Lanús to win at 1.8

 

Bet HERE

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