Argentine Primera División Opener: Talleres Host Newell's Old Boys in Early Season Clash
The new Argentine Primera División season is set to kick off with Talleres hosting Newell's Old Boys. This match is crucial for both teams, as they aim to start the 2026 campaign with a victory to lay the groundwork for continental qualification aspirations or to steer clear of the relegation zone. After a mixed 2025 season, both sides will be looking to make an early statement.
Match Background & Qualification Scenarios
The Argentine Primera División, also known as Liga Profesional de Fútbol, stands as the pinnacle of Argentine professional football. The league typically operates with a unique split-season format, featuring both an Apertura and Clausura tournament. Qualification for the prestigious Copa Libertadores is granted to the winners of both the Apertura and Clausura, alongside top-ranked teams in the aggregate league table and the Copa Argentina champion. Relegation from the Primera División is determined by a three-year points average, a system that adds significant weight to every match as teams battle not only for continental qualification but also to avoid falling into the dreaded relegation zone.
Recent Form
With this match scheduled for January 2026, we look back at both teams' performance in the 2025 season as an indicator of their recent form. Talleres had a mixed 2025 campaign, finishing 14th in the Torneo Apertura of the Primera División, though they did clinch the Supercopa Internacional and participated in the Copa Libertadores group stage. Their late 2025 results showed inconsistency, including a 0-2 loss to Boca Juniors in the Torneo Betano Cup playoffs in November 2025. Newell's Old Boys concluded their 2025 Torneo Apertura in 11th place and competed in the Round of 32 of the Copa Argentina. The team had a disappointing 2025 overall and displayed fluctuating form towards the end of the year, with a loss to Racing Club and a win against Huracán in November 2025.
Key Players & Injury News
For Talleres, key players in the 2025 season included midfielder Matías Galarza and defender Miguel Navarro. The team strengthened its midfield with the acquisition of Martín Río in January 2026. Regarding injuries, while specific match-day reports are fluid, Rubén Botta was reported to have suffered a hamstring injury in December 2024, ruling him out for an immediate match against Newell's. Newell's Old Boys featured prominent players in their 2025 squad such as captain and midfielder Éver Banega, forward Darío Benedetto, defender Luca Sosa, and goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos. Notably, goalkeeper Keylor Navas, initially transferred to Newell's in 2025, reportedly moved to Mexico's Pumas in January 2026. In an interesting turn, Michael Hoyos is returning to Argentine football to join Newell's. Entering the 2026 season, Newell's Old Boys are under a new sporting project led by coaching duo Favio Orsi and Sergio Gómez, which could introduce fresh tactical approaches. Specific injury updates for players are dynamic and typically released closer to the match date.