Argentine Primera División Showdown: Defensa y Justicia Host Belgrano in Crucial Mid-Table Clash

Match Background & Qualification Scenarios

This match is part of Round 7 of the 2025 Argentine Primera División (Liga Profesional de Fútbol), which is the 135th season of Argentina's top-tier football league featuring 28 teams. [1, 11, 18] For Defensa y Justicia and Belgrano, this encounter holds significant weight in the second phase of the league. Currently, Defensa y Justicia sit seventh in the standings with 9 points from 6 matches, while Belgrano are tenth with 8 points from the same number of games. [3] Both teams are eager to climb higher in the table, aiming for potential international competition berths or to solidify their position away from the relegation zone. This season, two teams will be relegated to the Primera Nacional, and top teams in the overall standings will qualify for the Copa Libertadores. [18]

Recent Form

Defensa y Justicia have shown solid form recently, recording two wins, two draws, and one loss in their last five official matches. They drew 1-1 against Barracas Central on August 22nd and 1-1 against Newell's Old Boys on August 17th. [10, 33] Prior to that, they secured a 1-0 win over Deportivo Riestra, but suffered a 1-2 defeat to Central Cordoba SdE on July 28th, before beating CA Aldosivi 2-0 on July 22nd. [10] In these five games, Defensa y Justicia scored 6 goals and conceded 4. [36] Belgrano's recent record also stands at two wins, two draws, and one loss from their last five official outings. They faced a 0-3 defeat against Central Cordoba SdE on August 26th, followed by a 0-0 draw with CA Aldosivi on August 15th. [8, 21] Earlier, they defeated CA Banfield 2-1, beat Independiente 2-0 in the Copa Argentina, and drew 0-0 with Independiente Rivadavia on July 26th. [8, 21] Belgrano scored 4 goals and conceded 4 during this period. [36]

Key Players & Injury News

For Defensa y Justicia, striker Juan Miritello is a key attacking force with 6 goals this season, supported by Gastón Togni and César Pérez who have also contributed crucial goals. [33] Midfielder Benjamin Schamine will miss the match due to a knee injury, and Lucas González is also sidelined with an undisclosed injury. [13, 27] On Belgrano's side, key player Lucas Zelarayán has recovered from injury and featured in a February 24th match, making him a central figure in their attack. [22, 32] Additionally, Nicolás Fernández scored both goals in their last encounter against Defensa y Justicia, making him a player to watch. [13] Belgrano's injury list includes several notable absences: Juan Velázquez (Achilles tendon rupture), A. Leguizamón (pubalgia/groin injury), Jeremías Lucco (torn muscle bundle), Elías López (torn muscle bundle), and Tobias Ostchega (hairline crack in foot). [4, 13, 26]