Racing Club vs Nublense

Racing Club and Nublense are set to trade tackles at the Estadio Juan Domingo Perón in their final 2023 Copa Libertadores Group A fixture.

Despite going down 2-1 at Flamengo last time out, Racing’s place in the Copa Libertadores knockout stages is safe and sound, though it’s still uncertain whether they’ll progress as group winners. With two points separating them from second-placed Flamengo ahead of the final group fixture, the Argentine heavyweights need a victory given their inferior H2H record to the Brazilian outfit (D1, L1). Barring that winless doubleheader, Fernando Gago’s men have won all three remaining Group A assignments, including a comfortable 2-0 triumph at Nublense on day one. However, the hosts cannot afford to underestimate this task after only managing one win across their last four outings in all competitions (D2, L1), all of which saw them fail to keep a clean sheet.

In the meantime, visiting Nublense can still reach the Copa Libertadores knockouts, though the chances of achieving that feat are slim. Stuck three points below Flamengo, they must defy the odds in Avellaneda and pray the Brazilians to lose at home to section minnows Argentinos Juniors. But considering they’ve only claimed one win in their opening five Group A matches (D2, L1), it’s unlikely that they’ll hold up their end of the bargain. Indeed, Jaime Garcia’s troops have drawn a blank on both previous Group A travels (D1, L1), testifying to their faint hopes of upsetting the apple cart. Bringing other competitions into the equation, the Chileans have failed to score on five of their last six road trips (W1, D1, L4), casting further doubt on their prospects.