Independiente welcome Boca Juniors to the Estadio Libertadores de América–Ricardo Enrique Bochini on Sunday at 17:00 local time for round 14 of the Torneo Clausura, according to TyC Sports. Nazareno Arasa will referee the match. Boca arrive after reaching the Copa Sudamericana final, while Independiente are looking for a result to lift an uneven campaign.
Why it matters
The fixture carries weight at both ends of the standings. TyC Sports reports that Boca lead the annual table with 54 points, level on points with Argentinos Juniors but ahead on goal difference, and one point clear of Rosario Central and Independiente Rivadavia. With three rounds left in the annual table — which awards a title to its leader and international places to the top nine — a slip could cost Boca several positions. Independiente sit 12th in the annual table on 43 points and need a win to close in on the Copa Sudamericana qualification places, per TyC Sports.
Boca's week and Arruabarrena's selection calls
Boca come into the match off a 3-1 win over Vasco da Gama on Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro, a result that sent them to the Copa Sudamericana final against Atlético Mineiro on 21 November. In the Clausura, TyC Sports reports Boca beat Talleres 2-1 at La Bombonera in their last outing, leaving them second in Zona A on 24 points behind Instituto.
Coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena is expected to field his strongest available side with a few adjustments, according to TyC Sports. Malcom Braida would replace Lautaro Blanco, the player with the most minutes this semester, as a precaution against injury. Leandro Paredes, who TyC Sports describes as the hero in Rio, would start on the bench after a grade II tear in his right hamstring two weeks ago. Leonel Flores or Alan Velasco is the coach's other doubt.
The probable Boca XI reported by TyC Sports: Álvaro Montero; Leandro Lozano, Lautaro Di Lollo, Facundo Herrera, Malcom Braida; Rodrigo Battaglia, Milton Delgado, Santiago Ascacíbar; Leonel Flores or Alan Velasco, Sebastián Villa and Miguel Merentiel.
Independiente's needs and Viera's options
Independiente drew 1-1 with Racing in the Avellaneda clásico last time out, Maximiliano Meza scoring from the penalty spot. TyC Sports reports the Rojo are eighth in Zona A on 19 points, two above San Lorenzo. Coach Jadson Viera may make changes from the side that drew at the Cilindro: Matías Abaldo could come in for Luciano Cabral, though TyC Sports notes a five-man defensive line has not been ruled out if Cabral, an Argentine naturalized as Chilean, plays.
The probable Independiente XI reported by TyC Sports: Rodrigo Rey; Santiago Arias, Sebastián Valdez, Juan Miguel Arrayago, Nahuel Banegas; Iván Marcone, Mateo Pérez Curci, Maximiliano Meza; Matías Abaldo, Ezequiel Ávila and Santiago Montiel.
A long, even history between the clubs
Sunday's meeting will be the 230th between the two teams, and TyC Sports reports the record is close: Boca have won 80, Independiente 76, with 73 draws. A home win would leave the Rojo three wins short of matching Boca's total. The most recent encounter came on 11 April in round 14 of the Torneo Apertura, a 1-1 draw at La Bombonera in which Abaldo scored and Milton Giménez converted a penalty, according to TyC Sports.
The match is one of two clásicos cruzados on Sunday, with River Plate facing Racing, a day Página|12 framed around the weight of history and the pressure of the present. Clarín also previewed the double bill.
What to watch: whether Boca can hold the annual table lead with a rotated lineup after their continental exertions, and whether Independiente can turn home advantage into the win their qualification hopes need.
