This afternoon at the UNO stadium, starting at 7:30 p.m.,
Estudiantes de La Plata
and
Boca
will face each other to complete the remaining 62 minutes of their match corresponding to date 11 of the
League Cup
. It is a match that not only becomes key for its protagonists, direct rivals in the fight to qualify for the quarterfinals of the tournament, but also has an impact on each team that fights at the top of Zone
B
, having Keep in mind that it is disputed in the days prior to the closing of the regular phase.
There are four other teams involved that will be closely following the result:
Lanús
,
Defensa y Justicia
,
Racing
and
Newell's
. There appears the variant calculator, and a fundamental question: what is best for each one to increase their chances of getting into the Top 4? Do you root for Boca, for Estudiantes, or is a draw better?
Zone B of the League Cup is tighter than ever
. The only one who already looks at everyone relaxed is Godoy Cruz, who secured first place with his unattainable 29 points, days before the last date that will have him playing in the Bombonera.
Behind Tomba there are
six teams with chances, separated by just two points in the table
. Of them, only three will achieve the goal:
Lanús
has 23 points;
Defense and Justice
, 23;
Mouth
,
22;
Racing
,
Estudiantes
and
Newell's
close with 21.
The main thing about this afternoon's game is
that Boca could define its destiny. Both depend on themselves but Xeneize already knows that if they beat Pincha they will automatically qualify for the playoffs, regardless of what happens on Tuesday when they host Godoy Cruz. That is, Diego Martínez's team needs a victory in either game, so a draw in La Plata would not represent any extra benefit.
For their part, those led by Domínguez could speculate a little more in case the duel against the Boquenses maintains equality. The fact is that although the victory would mean a great rise in the table, obtaining a point is still valuable because it will allow him to separate himself from Racing and Newell's, and complete the task with a victory on the Lanús field.
Beyond the futurology with the protagonists of the clash at 1 and 57, the other four direct rivals prepare the calculator, test variants and cross their fingers waiting for the result that best suits them. In principle, that would be a victory for Boca.
Estudiantes vs Boca: what suits Lanús
After losing on their visit to Racing and wasting a match point to get into the playoffs, Grana has a new opportunity on Tuesday when they host Estudiantes on their field. However, what happens between Pincha and Boca could change the outlook for that game.
If Estudiantes beat Boca, Lanús will run from behind against those led by Eduardo Domínguez, who will pass them by one point, so they will have to obtain victory against a rival who could speculate on a tie. An equality with Pincha would force them to wait for two of these three scenarios to occur: that Boca does not win, that Defense does not win and that Racing does not win.
If Estudiantes and Boca tie, Lanús will host Pincha knowing that if they win they will go to the quarterfinals and that a tie could also put them in. To do this, two of these three scenarios will need to occur: that Boca lose or that Defense or Racing do not win. A defeat, logically, would leave him out.
If Boca beat Estudiantes, Lanús would need more "logical" results. They would advance to the quarterfinals by beating Pincha, logically, and in the event of a tie it would be enough to hope that Defensa or Racing do not win. Defeat would automatically leave him out.
Estudiantes vs Boca: what is best for Defense
Varela's team are on the same line as Lanús but with a much smaller goal difference than Grana (+3 versus +7, respectively), a fundamental factor in case of equality of points. That makes him run from behind in this dizzying race to enter the League Cup playoffs. On the last date they host Newell's, the most committed of all if we talk about points and goals. Everything will vary according to what happens between Estudiantes and Boca in La Plata.
If Estudiantes beat Boca, Defensa will reach the last date as fourth. If you beat Leprosy, you qualify. If he draws, he will need Boca not to beat Godoy Cruz and Racing not to do the same with Belgrano in Córdoba. If he loses, he will be out because those from Rosario would pass him, regardless of the other results.
If Estudiantes and Boca tie, Defensa would also be fourth but in this case it would be surpassed by Xeneize (they have a better goal difference). In that case, if he beats Newell's, he passes the phase regardless of the others. If they tie, they will need Boca to lose and Racing not to win. A defeat leaves him out.
If Boca beats Estudiantes, Halcón would also advance with a victory against Newell's, and in the case of a tie they will need to ensure that Racing does not win in the last one. A defeat against Leprosy would leave him out.
Estudiantes vs Boca: what suits Racing
The Academy is clear that it must win on the last date as a visitor to Belgrano, although it does not depend on itself to reach the playoffs. Of course, what happens this afternoon at the Estudiantes stadium will greatly influence.
If Estudiantes beats Boca, on Tuesday Racing will need two other results: that Boca does not beat Godoy Cruz in La Bombonera and that Defensa does not do the same with Newell's in Varela. In that case, Lanús or Pincha will play for a head-to-head spot.
If Estudiantes and Boca tie, the Academy will require that two of these three alternatives be met: an equality in Lanús vs Estudiantes, that Boca does not beat Godoy Cruz and/or that Defensa does not beat Newell's.
Finally, if the winner in La Plata is Boca, Gustavo Costas' men only need one scenario, that Lanús or Defensa do not win in the last one, when they play at home against direct rivals.
Estudiantes vs Boca: what is best for Newell's
Leprosy's defeat against Boca in Rosario left him in a very bad position heading into the final date. However, his complex situation will vary according to what happens this afternoon on 1 and 57 between Xeneize and Pincha. Leprosy needs to beat Defensa in Varela and then have several caroms.
If Estudiantes beat Boca, Newell's will need to win and that Boca and Racing will not win in the last one, no matter what happens in the duel between Lanús and Pincha.
If Estudiantes and Boca tie, Newell's will have to win and hope that in the last one Boca loses and Racing does not win, because the other classified will come from Lanús and Pincha.
If Boca beats Estudiantes, Newell's will have to win and hope that Racing does not win.