Two teams at opposite ends of the 2024 Argentine Primera Division table will clash when Banfield host Talleres at Estadio Florencio Sola on Sunday evening.
The hosts are languishing in 24th place with just five points to their name, while the visitors occupy third spot in the table with 14 points.
Match preview
Banfield's struggles to secure victories continued as they were unable to hold onto their first-half lead, conceding in the second half to share the spoils in a 1-1 draw against Atletico Tucuman.
El Taladro have managed only one win in six league outings since the start of the second phase, suffering three defeats and drawing twice.
Julio Cesar Falcioni's side secured their solitary victory against Newell's Old Boys at the beginning of June but have since endured a winless run of two matches, losing to Independiente before the draw with Tucuman.
Having finished 21st in the Argentine Primera Division last season, the Greater Buenos Aires outfit would have been hoping for an improved campaign, but they currently occupy the same position in the aggregate table.
However, Banfield will be eager to climb the table by the end of the next gameweek and will hope their home form can aid their ascent, having won once and drawn twice in three matches on their own turf.
Talleres were unbeaten in their opening four matches of the second phase, but the last two gameweeks have proved challenging, with the team failing to win in successive matches.
Walter Ribonetto's men suffered their first defeat of the campaign against Velez Sarsfield, and they had to come from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw against Defensa y Justicia on home soil last time out.
Despite failing to win in the last two matches, Albiazul are just one point behind leaders Huracan but still top the league in the aggregate table.
Talleres could ascend to the top of the table with a victory on Sunday, should results elsewhere go in their favour. However, they must end a three-match winless streak against Banfield to achieve that.
Team News
Banfield will remain without the services of long-term absentees Juan Bisanz, Alejandro Cabrera and Lucas Palavecino, who are all suffering from cruciate ligament tears.
Alexis Maldonado, Franco Quinteros, Bruno Sepulveda, Mateo Perez, and Ezequiel Bonifacio are also out and unavailable for selection.
Aaron Quiros will return to the side after sitting out of the last match due to suspension from the red card he picked up against Independiente.
Talleres will remain without experienced defender Juan Rodriguez who has been out of action since coming off injured against Independiente on April 16.
Matias Gomez is also on the sideline due to a knee injury, while Argentine forward Gustavo Bou is set to sit out his 11th consecutive game after sustaining an injury against Tucuman on May 19.
Banfield possible starting lineup:
Sanguinetti; Iribarren, Maciel, Aranda, Insua; Soraire; Rodriguez; Gonzalez, Galvan; Sepulveda
Talleres possible starting lineup:
Herrera, Benavidez, Catalan, Mantilla, Riveros; Portillo, Ortegoza, Portilla; Barticciotto, Girotti, Botta
We say: Banfield 1-1 Talleres
Banfield have struggled overall, but they have shown great resilience at home, which could be enough to get something in this game against a Talleres side that have dropped their levels in recent weeks.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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