Patronato
- CA Patronato have won one, drawn three and lost one of their last five Primera Nacional 2026 matches.
- Since Marcelo Candia replaced Walter Ottonello in April 2026, he has transformed them into an aggressive, high-pressing outfit.
- Patronato are still 22nd in the league, but they are now only seven points off the bottom playoff spots on 19 points from 16 matches and are unbeaten in their last two at home, drawing 1-1 at home against Tristan Suarez to follow up their 1-1 draw with Agropecuario.
- Candia's men play an aggressive 4-4-2 system that will allow them to pin Rafaela back, press high up the field and look to win the ball in dangerous areas and counter-attack quickly.
- Renzo Reynaga, who has scored two goals in 12 league games, is their main attacking threat.
Atletico de Rafaela
- Atletico de Rafaela have won three and lost two of their last five Primera Nacional 2026 fixtures.
- Ivan Juarez, who took over as coach in August 2024, has a more defensive team than Candia, but he has improved them as a unit since then.
- Rafaela are currently 11th in Primera Nacional 2026 on 25 points from 16 games.
- Juarez's side tend to play a pragmatic 4-4-2, but can also set up in a cautious 4-3-3 when they need to keep the ball and limit the opponents' space to attack.
- Rafaela have won just one, drawn two and lost four of their seven away league games this season, scoring four goals.
- Atletico's main threat comes from on loan striker Martiniano Moreno, who has hit six goals in 15 Primera Nacional 2026 appearances this season.
- Rafaela have lost their last two games to nil, but they have struggled on the road and may edge this match.
Key Players
- Renzo Reynaga, who has scored two goals in 12 league games, is their main attacking threat.
- Atletico's main threat comes from on loan striker Martiniano Moreno, who has hit six goals in 15 Primera Nacional 2026 appearances this season.
Betting Insights
- The draw is set at +176, which is a massive number considering that Patronato has drawn their two most recent matches.
- Under 2.5 goals is priced at 1.29, while Both teams to score - No is available at 1.45.
Prediction
- Patronato's pressing will look to cause problems for Rafaela, who are more comfortable building the play at their own pace.
- However, Rafaela will look to shut up shop and frustrate the home team.
- This is a real clash of styles and it is hard to see either team taking it too forward.
