League Cup 2024: what River, Boca and the other teams need to qualify for the playoffs

It begins on the penultimate day of League Cup 2024an unorthodox competition compared to the rest of the world championships and with many sloppiness but which has become exciting due to the parity that exists between the vast majority of teams.

With two games to go, of the 28 clubs that started the competition, only one has guaranteed their presence in the quarter-finals: Godoy Cruz de Mendozathe surprise leader of the Zone B who has been doing things well for a long time under the guidance of Sergio Oldrá, a low-profile, high-performance coach.

They are fighting for the three pending places Lanus, Newell’s AND Defense and JusticePleases Mouth, racing, Students AND Unionthat they will have to make a strong effort and pray their luck if they want to reach the playoffs.

THE Zone A can start to get defined this weekend, with Juniors of Argentina leader but with all the pursuers very close and forced to win so as not to run the risk of being left out of the four who will still be alive once the regular phase is over.

River You have a good chance of getting your ticket, same as Central Barracks AND Workshopseven if the Cordobans have just suffered this Thursday the “sweet” wear and tear of their debut in the Copa Libertadores, beating San Pablo at the Kempes. Velez AND Independent They remain waiting, they need victories, while Institute AND Gym They are only mentioned thanks to mathematics.

League Cup: what River and the struggling Zone A teams need

What was said, Argentinians faces Velez with the peace of mind of knowing that they can qualify even with a draw. Before the ball starts running to Liniers, they have 2 points behind their guards and also have a good goal difference in their favor. This is why the Amalfi players’ parity on the pitch seems like a good deal, especially since Fortín is another of those trying to get through to the next round.

Independent His life is at stake on the Taladro court, and not even a victory would significantly change his compromised situation in the tournament. The three points, however, will allow them to reach the last round with a mathematical possibility of reaching the playoffs, and this will already serve as a consolation. El Rojo must win and dedicate the rest of the weekend to praying that those at the top lose.

Saturday evening will be the turn of Workshops, which receives Independiente Rivadavia de Mendoza, one of the weakest in the competition. The T returns to the Kempes after Thursday’s victory against San Pablo, and emotions will be running high. A win against the Cuyans and a few setbacks from River, Vélez or Independiente would guarantee them an early place in the quarter-finals.

Central Barracks, a surprising protagonist of this competition, receives the Instituto de Córdoba, hit by the surprising elimination from the Argentina Cup at the hands of Talleres de Remedios de Escalada. Dabove’s went from being leaders of the Zone to having their elimination all but sealed.

For this reason, Chiqui Tapia’s club knows that it must take advantage of this historic opportunity and win, to do like Talleres: look down on the rest so as not to depend on what will happen in the last match, when it will be their turn . turn to go on the pitch of an Argentinos Juniors who are perhaps already classified.

AND River? El Millonario appears fourth in the standings, followed by Vélez and Independiente. It would be good for Núñez’s team if Fortín and Rojo didn’t have a happy Friday, so as not to find themselves out of the league table until Sunday evening, when they will have to face Rosario Central.

Demichelis’ team, however, is counting on itself: it will play at home against Rosario’s team, which not only is already eliminated from the competition and is playing for nothing, but has also suffered the wear and tear of playing Thursday with the Libertadores, so they will have 48 hours of less rest than those of the Band.

League Cup: what Boca and the struggling Zone B teams need

As if it were planted in the Cordillera, Godoy Cruz watching everyone from above in Zone B, enjoying the privilege of being the first team to qualify for the League Cup quarter-finals. The joy is double for Tomba because he has escaped involvement in a fight that promises to last until the last appointment, when the calendar announces the visit to the Bombonera.

The penultimate match of the League Cup presents a curiosity for who will come after Godoy Cruz. Lanus, Newell’s AND Defense and Justicethe three that currently appear in the playoff zone will have to play against the three teams in the so-called “big” zone.

In chronological order, the first grand finale will take place in Rosario, when he receives Lepra Mouth this Saturday from 5pm The local team has a two-point lead over Xeneize, although Diego Martínez’s team is still in debt with the suspended match against Estudiantes, so neither of them can assume a draw.

Whatever happens at the Marcelo Bielsa Stadium, both teams will continue the rest of the game wanting their opponents to drop points, and there are two games that will be crucial, one of them on schedule.

From 7.15pm, in Bajo Flores, he welcomes the San Lorenzo team that has already been eliminated and has just drawn against Palmeiras On defense. For Halcón, therefore, the premise will be to bring home the three points and take advantage of the fact that the others are playing with each other to show their wits. If they lose or draw, they could be in trouble on Sunday, which is why everyone is lighting candles for the Cyclone.

What happens on Sunday? El Grana, Godoy Cruz’s escort, visits racing in the Cylinder with the tranquility that comes from seeing yourself on the 24-point line, two above the third, and with all Saturday’s results already in place. Therefore, a draw can be worth a win.

For Lanús, a draw against Racing will allow Gustavo Costas’ men to be almost out of the tournament. The local team, on the other hand, must win no matter what, especially if they get some results on Saturday, such as a defeat for the defense or a draw between Newell’s and Boca. All this without forgetting Students AND Union.

The fact is that Pincha has 18 points and although it seems that they are far away, in reality it must be remembered that they still have that home match against Boca (still without a confirmed date), which if they won the three points today would allow them to be among the classified. Alternatives aside, they will first have to beat Central Córdoba: they will receive it on Saturday in La Plata.

Last on the list is Unión de Santa Fe, who last year went from escaping relegation to hosting a tournament that saw them beat Boca and Racing. They are far away and need a lot of caroms to sneak into the top four: to force that situation it will be an obligation to beat Belgrano on Saturday evening.

League Cup: all matches and TV

Friday 5 April

7.30pm Vélez Sarfield-Argentinos Juniors (TNT Sports).

9.00pm Banfield-Independiente (ESPN Premium).

Saturday 6 April

5.00pm Newell’s-Boca (TNT Sports).

7.15pm Estudiantes-Central Córdoba (TNT Sports).

7.15pm San Lorenzo-Defensa y Justicia (ESPN Premium).

9.30pm Unión-Belgrano (public TV).

9.30pm Talleres-Independiente Rivadavia (TNT Sports).

Sunday 7 April

16.00 Altético de Tucumán – Gimnasia (ESPN Premium).

16.00 Barracas Central-Instituto (TNT Sports).

6.30pm Racing-Lanus (TNT Sports).

9.00pm River Plate-Rosario Central (ESPN Premium).

Monday 8 April

3.30pm Riestra-Huracán (ESPN Premium).

8.00pm Godoy Cruz vs. Sarmiento de Junín (public TV).

20.00 Platense-Tigre (TNT Sports).