On Friday, November 3 at Monumental stadium, River Plate will host Huracán, for matchday 12 of the Copa de la Liga, in a crucial match to start defining Zone A.
Why it's important
For Martín Demichelis' team, it's about extending their triumphant and historic home record, as well as confirming their improvement and getting one step closer to securing their place in the competition's final phase. They are currently leading Zone A, six points ahead of the fifth place, with nine points still up for grabs.
Meanwhile, for Diego Martínez's team, the priority is to accumulate points to distance themselves from direct relegation based on the Annual Table: currently, Huracán is only two points above Tigre, the team that would be relegated. However, La Quema's team is also within the Top 4 of the Group, which means that a victory would have double value, as it would also bring them closer to the quarterfinals.
Key players to watch
River has several players who are regaining their best form, such as Esequiel Barco, currently without goals but making a great contribution with his change of pace and ability to be a goal-scoring option throughout the match. The possible return of Nicolás De la Cruz would be great news, as he is the player who makes the difference for River Plate.
And Miguel Borja and Salomón Rondón, currently as substitutes, are going through a great goal-scoring streak, so Huracán should not overlook them if they don't want to suffer.
Despite Huracán's inconsistency, their forwards Matías Cóccaro and Ignacio Pussetto are the team's key points under Martínez's leadership.
Current form
The reigning Argentine football champions have gathered 13 out of the last 15 points, but especially, they come into Friday's match with the confidence that the big victory in La Plata could have given them, after being 0-1 down against Gimnasia LP. It was a necessary win to start improving their weak performance every time they play away from home.
For Huracán, the present is somewhat worrying: they have won only four out of the last 15 points at stake, which almost guarantees that they will suffer until the end with the definition of the second relegation, already ratified by the AFA.
On Monday, El Globo couldn't break the deadlock against Barracas Central in Parque Patricios, and they know that they have a difficult visit to Monumental stadium.
When and how to watch
The match corresponding to matchday 12 of the Copa de la Liga will be played this Friday at 21:00 hours at Monumental stadium, with live broadcasting on ESPN Premium.