Argentine Liga Profesional Opener: Promoted Aldosivi Hosts Defensa y Justicia
The 2026 Argentine Liga Profesional de Fútbol season is set to kick off, with promoted side Aldosivi hosting Defensa y Justicia at the Estadio José María Minella. This match holds significant importance for both teams: Aldosivi aims for a strong start in the top flight, while Defensa y Justicia seeks to secure an away victory and lay a solid foundation for their new campaign.
Match Background & Qualification Scenarios
This fixture marks the opening round of the 2026 Argentine Liga Profesional de Fútbol, with home team Aldosivi facing Defensa y Justicia at the Estadio José María Minella in Mar del Plata. The Argentine Primera División expanded to 30 teams in 2025 and introduced a new format, featuring two tournaments (Apertura and Clausura), each comprising group stages and playoffs. Aldosivi earned promotion to the Primera División in the 2025 season, making their primary objective this season to consolidate their position and avoid relegation. Relegation typically considers a combination of average points over previous seasons and the current season's aggregate points. As the Apertura season begins, Aldosivi is currently ranked 3rd, while Defensa y Justicia holds the 8th position.
Recent Form
Heading into the 2026 season, Aldosivi demonstrated strong form in their last five official matches of the 2025 season, securing 4 wins and 1 loss (W, W, W, L, W). Their results include a 4-2 victory over San Martin S.J., a 1-0 win against Banfield, a 3-1 triumph over Ind. Rivadavia, a 0-1 defeat to Racing Club, and a 2-0 win over Huracan. Conversely, visitors Defensa y Justicia experienced a challenging end to their 2025 league campaign, registering 1 win and 4 losses in their last five official league matches (L, L, L, L, W). Their results include a 0-2 loss to Ind. Rivadavia, a 0-1 defeat to Racing Club, a 1-3 loss to Huracan, a 0-3 loss to Union de Santa Fe, and a 1-0 victory over Argentinos Jrs.
Key Players & Injury News
For Defensa y Justicia, a significant setback is the injury to key central midfielder César Pérez, who is expected to be out until April 30, 2026, due to a cruciate ligament tear. Aldosivi also has Nestor Breitenbruch listed with an injury concern. Given that the match is over a year away, player transfers and changes in form are common, so the exact lineups and key player statuses remain to be confirmed closer to the date. However, players such as midfielder Lucas González, center-back Damián Fernández, and forward Juan Miritello are expected to be influential figures for Defensa y Justicia.