Estudiantes
- Estudiantes are in crisis at the bottom of the group with 1 point from 6 games after scoring once and conceding heavily since their promotion to Primera.
- Estudiantes Rio Cuarto have suffered four defeats in their last five league games, drawing one, and scoring once in that run.
- The injury crisis that has hit their ranks is dominating the headlines in Rio Cuarto at the moment and they look certain to get worse before they get better.
- They are without Matías Ruiz Díaz and Lucas González for a long period while the rest of the squad are struggling to cope with Iván Delfino’s pragmatic, disciplined approach.
Huracán
- Huracán have nine points from six games and are currently in the playoff zone in Zone B of the Torneo Apertura.
- This game is a clash of styles as Delfino prefers to play with a compact back four and a disciplined, albeit limited, midfield to block the game and allow his players to get men behind the ball and counter.
- Huracán are the opposite, playing much more vertically, with a strong, physical striker and two wingers who get at the defense and create numerical superiority at the top of the field.
- Leonardo Gil is a control and progression player in midfield, and Diego Martínez’s men have been excellent at blocking and then transitioning quickly.
Head-to-Head
Recent meetings:
- Estudiantes have won two of the last six competitive meetings but several of the other meetings have been tight, low-scoring affairs, including two 0-0 draws in the last year.
- Huracán are unbeaten in three away fixtures against Estudiantes in all competitions, their last defeat here coming in July 2025.
- Two 0-0 draws in the last year.
- Estudiantes have two wins in the last six meetings.
Estudiantes
- Estudiantes can boast one attacking threat at present - Martín Garnerone, who has scored their only goal in the Apertura and is the focus for their counters and set-pieces.
- Mateo Bajamich is a good player with pace and a vertical threat, but has been used as an impact sub when his side have been behind and as an outlet for the fullbacks to clear the ball to when on the field.
Huracán
- Huracán’s danger man is Jordy Caicedo, who has four goals in four games in the Apertura so far and is a target man to aim for, with Óscar Cortés and Óscar Romero providing width and creativity to his right and left.
- They have been strong in defense, too, conceding only twice in their last five games, winning 1-0 on two occasions and drawing 0-0.
Betting Insights
- Huracán are clear favorites with the bookies at 2.16 while Estudiantes are 4.0 with a draw at 2.76.
- Huracán look good value to win at 29/25.
- Our preferred bet is on Under 2.5 goals at 1.35 because the stats suggest this will be a low-scoring match.
- Thunderstorms and heavy rain are forecast in Rio Cuarto on Thursday and that could slow the game down and favour a team that is good on set-pieces and in the air - which Huracán are.
Prediction
- A 2-1 or 1-0 win for Huracán seems most likely as Caicedo is in great form and their defense is holding it together.
- A Huracán win is more likely than not based on form and recent performances, but if Estudiantes get enough players back to defend resolutely they could hold on for a 0-0 or 1-1 draw.
