Previewing Week 13 in the 2017-2018 Argentina Superliga
By Zach Bigalke
After a long summer break, top-flight soccer action returns to Argentina next week with the resumption of the 2017-2018 Superliga.
The last Superliga matchday took place in early December. Taking time off over the holidays, it has now been well over a month since Argentina’s top league played any matches. But after the long break, the Superliga returns in the upcoming weekend with a full slate of Week 13 action.
Boca Juniors entered the summer break three points ahead of San Lorenzo in the Argentina Superliga table. The leaders will take on Colón de Santa Fe at La Bombonera on Saturday evening hoping to remain in sole possession of the top position. Darío Benedetto will look to add to his league-leading eight goals against the visitors. Colón will likely find it difficult to crack a defense that has given up just five goals in its first 12 games of the season.
The defending champions are on pace to repeat atop the table once again. But San Lorenzo continues to put up a strong challenge. They hit the road this weekend to take on Talleres de Córdoba in Superliga action. Nicolás Blandi and Ezequiel Cerutti have been among the best in Argentina at finding the net. It certainly doesn’t hurt that veteran midfielder Fernando Belluschi has been the top set-up man in the Superliga this season.
Below the top two teams are a slew of secondary contenders. The teams sitting between third and ninth in the Superliga table all boast between 20 and 22 points after the first 12 matches. Among the Big Five of Argentine soccer, though, only Independiente is included among that septet of clubs. Racing Club is right at midtable in 14th with 16 points. River Plate is further down at 17th, sitting on 15 points.
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The importance of gaining early momentum out of the summer break
Aside from Banfield, the other six Argentine teams in the Copa Libertadores won’t take the pitch in the competition until next month. Another six Superliga teams will take the pitch for the first round of the Copa Sudamericana in late February. That makes these next few weeks in domestic play so critical for anyone hoping to catch Boca Juniors.
Once tournament action commences, teams in one of the two intercontinental competitions will have to split their attention between league and cup. Thus it is incumbent for a club like Boca Juniors or San Lorenzo to consolidate its advantage now. Likewise, teams hoping to catch the two leaders will need to maximize their gains before their roster depth is tested next month.
Week 13 Argentina Superliga schedule
- Godoy Cruz de Mendoza vs. Chacarita Juniors (Friday 26 Jan/17:00 ET)
- Tigre vs. Banfield (Friday 26 Jan/17:00 ET)
- Talleres de Córdoba vs. San Lorenzo (Friday 26 Jan/19:15 ET)
- Defensa y Justicia vs. Vélez Sarsfield (Saturday 27 Jan/15:00 ET)
- Newell’s Old Boys vs. Arsenal de Sarandí (Saturday 27 Jan/15:00 ET)
- Lanús vs. Patronato (Saturday 27 Jan/17:15 ET)
- Boca Juniors vs. Colón de Santa Fe (Saturday 27 Jan/19:30 ET)
- Argentinos Juniors vs. San Martín de San Juan (Sunday 28 Jan/15:00 ET)
- Olimpo de Bahía Blanca vs. Belgrano de Córdoba (Sunday 28 Jan/15:00 ET)
- Unión de Santa Fe vs. Racing Club (Sunday 28 Jan/17:15 ET)
- Huracán vs. River Plate (Sunday 28 Jan/19:30 ET)
- Gimnasia La Plata vs. Rosario Central (Monday 29 Jan/17:00 ET)
- Atlético Tucumán vs. Temperley (Monday 29 Jan/17:00 ET)
- Independiente vs. Estudiantes La Plata (Monday 29 Jan/19:15 ET)
Argentina Superliga action is available to stream live online via Fanatiz.