Colon  vs Lanus

Colon to win – their home form in 2012 has been good

TEAM NEWS

Colon have lost a couple of important figures in their attack during the winter break; Javier Chevanton's release from his contract was confirmed due to his long-term injury, and Esteban Fuertes retired. Another forward, Federico Higuain, has been sold to Columbus Crew in the USA. They've been replaced by Emanuel Gigliotti, who should be capable of stepping in. Defender Ronald Raldes is also fit again, after missing a lot of the Clausura with a broken leg.

Lanus have seen Mariano Pavone, Mauro Camoranesi, Diego Braghieri and others leave for other teams, but welcome back Gonzalo Castillejos, who's been on loan with Rosario Central, as well as bringing in Rodrigo Erramuspe and others. The main change is Guillermo Barros Schelotto's introduction as manager – his first managerial job.

Colon
Suspended: Geronimo Poblete (sent off in last match); Gerardo Alcoba (five yellow cards accumulated)
Doubtful:
Injured/unavailable:

Lanus
Suspended: Matias Fritzler (ten yellow cards accumulated)
Doubtful:
Injured/unavailable:

MATCH PREVIEW

Both these sides have lost players who've been important attackers for them of late; in Colon's case, their all-time top scorer Esteban Fuertes, who's retired, and in Lanus' case Mariano Pavone, who did a good job for them last season. Both sides have kept most of the rest of their teams together, though, so at first glance the teams for this match might (attacks aside) look a little more cohesive than in some of this weekend's other matches.

Colon have had a pretty unremarkable pre-season (one win, two draws and one loss), whilst Lanus manager Barros Schelotto is happy with his side's, whose record was the same as Colon's, but with better performances. Both sides want to challenge for honours this season, after finishing adrift of the competition during the Clausura, and whilst that won't be easy, especially with Boca Juniors and Velez Sarsfield not distracted, in this half of the season, by the Copa Libertadores, I think both have chances. Colon's are particularly promising if they can continue to build on their very impressive home form during the Clausura. I think they'll keep that form up here, and claim a narrow win – but expect Lanus to be in contention once the season starts to settle down.

HEAD TO HEAD

The last ten league matches between these sides have seen Colon claim only three wins, although one of those was the most recent meeting between the sides, halfway through the Torneo Clausura this year. Lanus have four wins in the same period, leaving three draws.