After suffering consecutive defeats in the Argentine Primera Division, Independiente Rivadavia seek to avoid a third loss in succession in round six's encounter against Gimnasia at Estadio Bautista Gargantini on Thursday.
Both sides are separated by eight places heading into the imminent encounter, with the away side potentially climbing to joint-top if they claim maximum points and other results are in their favour.
Match preview
After picking seven points from their first three league games, Lepra have failed to notch the required results in recent rounds, underscored by two losses in succession.
A 2-1 home defeat by Banfield in the domestic cup has been followed by a pair of 1-0 losses to Union and Huracan in the top division, with the goals drying up for Martin Cicotello's troops.
Upon closer inspection, the team's inadequacy in the attacking third was bound to happen after scoring twice in the opening weekend's win at Lanus before firing blanks in the next two.
Including cup games, the hosts have only scored more than a goal in that 2-0 triumph against Lanus on May 12, underlining the hosts' goalscoring bugbear.
It remains to be seen if Thursday is any different for a side that could move level with the visitors by notching maximum points.
Gimnasia bounced back from a 2-1 loss against Insituto at the start of June by securing a 2-1 win against Barracas Central before the league's hiatus.
They hope for consecutive league victories on Thursday to move joint-top in the division as three points separate them from Talleres, Huracan and Union, who have 13 points from 15.
Boosted by their goalscoring in the opening five league matches — six if their cup triumph over Atletico Tucuman is included — the away side should back themselves to find the back of the net in round six's encounter, keen to secure maximum points over a side on a two-match losing run.
However, their winless road run at the start of the campaign threatens to undermine those ambitions, with only one point claimed from an available six on their travels.
Marcelo Mendez's men have conceded in every game on their travels in all competitions this term, an unwanted streak they hope to end on Thursday.
Team News
Rufino Lucero is reportedly doubtful due to a wrist injury, while Federico Moreno and Matias Ruiz Diaz may not feature for the hosts.
Francisco Petrasso received a straight red for a foul last time out, thus ruling out the centre-back against the Gimnasia.
Gimnasia are set to field their strongest lineup for Thursday's match as reports indicate a complete absence of injuries within the squad, putting the fifth-place team in a strong position with a full squad.
Rodrigo Castillo and Matias Abaldo have netted three goals apiece for the away side, contributing 60% of the team's 10 goals after five matches, making them leading threats to the hosts.
Independiente Rivadavia possible starting lineup:
Marinelli; Dionisio, Bianchi, Maidana, Palacios, Ostchega; Ham, Romero, Rios; Asenjo, Reali
Gimnasia possible starting lineup:
Insfran; Pintado, Morales, Cabral, Canto; Bolivar, Saravia, Blasis; Abaldo, Castillo, Dominguez
We say: Independiente Rivadavia 1-1 Gimnasia
The last three meetings between these clubs in all competitions have been split — one win for both and a draw — and no side is expected to edge ahead on Thursday.
A point apiece could be in the offing, as Independiente Rivadavia have secured one point in their last seven league games going back to last season while Gimnasia have an identical road return. A draw seems like a strong possibility.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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