Newell's Old Boys

vs

Defensa y Justicia

Preview

Newell’s Old Boys

• Newell’s Old Boys are in poor form, with 0 wins, 1 draw and 4 defeats from their last 5 games in all competitions.
• They have taken just 1 point from their first 3 games and sit 27th in the Liga Profesional - Apertura 2026 table.
• Sergio Gomez was named coach in December 2025 and his team are trying to implement a fast-paced, aggressive 4-3-3 with heavy pressing and vertical play.
• Newell’s have struggled in their opening matches, including defeats away to Talleres and at Boca Juniors.
• Matias Coccaro is Newell’s most advanced player, with 1 goal and 1 assist from 3 appearances.

Defensa y Justicia

• Defensa y Justicia have been in mixed form, with 1 win, 3 draws and 1 defeat from their last 5.
• Mariano Soso, who took the reins in June 2025, has implemented a clear structure based around an organised and patient build-up from the back, a compact defensive block and selective pressing.
• Defensa y Justicia are unbeaten in their last 2 away games in the Liga Profesional - Apertura 2026 (1 win, 1 draw).
• Ruben Botta is Defensa’s leading goal scorer, netting 1 goal from 3 appearances so far.

Head-to-Head

• Across their 2 most recent head-to-head matches, Newell’s have 1 win, Defensa y Justicia have none, and 1 game ended in a draw.
• When playing this fixture at home, both teams average just 0.5 goals per game.

Key Players

• Matias Coccaro (Newell’s) - 1 goal and 1 assist from 3 appearances.
• Ruben Botta (Defensa) - 1 goal from 3 appearances.
• Aaron Molinas (Defensa) - 1 assist in 2 games.

Betting Insights

• Odds: Newell’s 2.38, Defensa y Justicia 3.35, Draw 2.85.
• Under 2.5 goals is priced at 1.4.
• Both teams average 0.5 goals per game in this fixture, pointing to a low-scoring match.

Prediction

• This game seems likely to be close and tense, with Newell’s struggling to win at home and Defensa unbeaten on the road this season.
• So we should expect a tight game, with the Under 2.5 goals market the main option.