Huracán v Rosario Central

A day after Labour Day, the Primera Division finishes the last games of the penultimate round with some key matches for the Copa de la Liga Profesional play-off spots. Huracán do still have a chance to get in those play-offs, but they'd have to win the last two games and hope Tigre or Aldosivi lose their final game. Their first job is to go past Rosario Central, who have had a season to forget. They are bottom of the group and have no chance in the play-offs any more. 

Halfway in the season, Rosario replaced manager Kily González with Leandro Somoza, but the change didn't have much effect. In fact, the inexperienced manager only obtained his first victory with Rosario in five games last week. They played a fairly weak Independiente, who were mostly focussed on the Copa Sudamericana, so I don't think you can read too much into that. 

Huracán aren't having the best of seasons either, but after the victory at Aldosivi, who they need to overtake to make the play-offs, they will probably be fired up for the season ending. Neither Huracán nor Rosario Central are playing an international tournament, so they will both be playing their strongest XI this game. The only important player missing this game is Marco Ruben. Rosario Central's striker picked up a knock in the previous game and is ruled out for this one. At 35 years old, the former Villarreal striker hasn't had the best of seasons, but he opened the scoring last week and is still one of their key players. 

Without Ruben and without much to play for, Rosario Central are the underdog, that's why I see Huracán pick up the three points in their own stadium.

Platense v Argentinos Juniors

Argentinos Juniors are another side who still have a chance to qualify for the play-offs. In fact, they could pretty much qualify in this game, but only when Defensa y Justicia hadn't won their game earlier this evening. To do that, Argentinos have to go past Platense and the odds seem good. 

With four victories from the last six games, they climbed up the table and have the play-offs within reach. The five-man defence has generally been steady, but it hasn't stopped them from playing a pretty attacking game. With Gabriel Carabajal in a creative role linking up with striker Gabriel Ávalos, they have a decent tandem going forward. Ávalos is in good form with three goals in the last four games. Argentinos Juniors have only the league to focus on and will start their strongest XI, but the same goes for Platense. 

Platense, however, are having an awful run. The last victory came ten games ago. Their season has been marred by injuries, but that didn't stop them sacking manager Claudio Spontón. With Omar de Felippe as replacement for Spontón and several of the injured players returning, an improvement was expected, but that hasn't really happened. Their defence looks steadier since Haibrany Ruiz Diaz and Augusto Schott returned from injury, but they have very little on offer going forward. 

Despite having nothing to play for, I think Platense will be looking for their first victory under manager de Felippe. But I just don't think they have the quality to have a serious shout at a result, so I'd put my money on an away victory here.