Patronato v Arsenal Sarandí

This Saturday, the Argentinian Liga Profesional starts with a relegation match between Patronato and Arsenal de Sarandí. Patronato are actually on a good run at the moment but are bottom of the relegation table and unlikely to come out of that. Arsenal would be safe at the moment, but a defeat could push them back into the relegation zone, so it's a big game for both sides.

Patronato beat Colón in the cup and claimed four points from the last six in the league. Especially the draw last weekend against league leaders Newell's was impressive, although they were a bit lucky to get it with an injury-time equaliser.

Arsenal de Sarandí finally booked their first victory last week and it was a good one. Estudiantes was in between Copa Libertadores matches, but played their strongest XI in Sarandí. Interestingly, the goalscorers Cristian Colmán and Leonel Picco have since left the side, which left Arsenal significantly weaker. Although I don't really rate Patronato, their good run must have given them confidence and a match against a weakened Arsenal should be up their street.

Banfield v Unión Santa Fe

Unión didn't have the week they wanted. With the reserves, they claimed a decent victory against Lanús last weekend, but in the Copa Sudamericana, they were surprisingly eliminated by the Uruguayan side Nacional. Unión had lost the first leg 2-0, but when Emanuel Britez scored after 70 minutes, they came close to decisive penalties. 15 minutes and two defensive errors later that dream was over eliminating them from the Copa Sudamericana, which put manager Gustavo Munua further under pressure.

Banfield is in decent form, they claimed a surprisingly efficient 3-0 victory against Boca Junior's second string last week. Three chances resulted in three goals in the first half, which pushed them in the top four. They managed to keep their side together and the transfer window has closed in Argentina, so they look good for the coming weeks.

Unión lost right back Britez and will be without Jonathan Alvez, who got injured again. The away side will field their regular starters, now they only have one tournament left to focus on, but they have lost some important players during the transfer window and will have felt the defeat in the Copa Sudamericana. I think that makes Banfield the favourite to take the three points here.