Velez Sarsfield backed for home win over Instituto de Cordoba
Velez Sarsfield are tipped to make home advantage count against Instituto de Cordoba, whose defence may need time to settle after the departure of first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Roffo. The hosts are viewed as the stronger and more organised side.
By 7MTHScore StaffTeam news
Velez Sarsfield are under the management of Guillermo Schelotto this season. They did not bring in any new players during pre-season, while forwards Brian Romero and Emanuel Mammana have left the club.
Instituto de Cordoba are coached by Cufre this season. In pre-season, they signed goalkeeper Lautaro Ledesma from Defensores, while first-choice keeper Manuel Roffo moved to a club in Paraguay.
For Velez Sarsfield, there are no suspensions and no major doubts. Out injured or unavailable are Robertone with a calf problem, Alan Quiros with a back injury, Matias Pellegrini with a hamstring issue, and Alex Valoran with a pubis problem.
Instituto de Cordoba have no suspensions, no major doubts, and no reported injuries or absences.
Pick: Home win
Although Velez Sarsfield have several injuries in the middle and attacking areas, Schelotto's side have remained reliable at home and are highly efficient at controlling the tempo of matches.
Instituto de Cordoba, meanwhile, have had to adjust after the sudden departure of first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Roffo, and their reshaped back line will be tested in this match.
Velez Sarsfield are tactically well organised and their home advantage makes them even stronger. With Instituto de Cordoba losing their main goalkeeper, the visitors' defensive stability could be affected. The gap between the two sides looks clear here, so the home win is the preferred choice.
Head-to-head
The two teams last met in the first phase of the 2026 competition, when Velez Sarsfield won 1-0.