Rosario Central vs Gimnasia LP Predictions

Friday’s Copa Argentina final sees Rosario Central going up against Gimnasia de la Plata at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza. Gimnasia will be desperate for their moment in the spotlight but it’s Central who arrive as favourites to finally lift the domestic cup.

Having remarkably lost the final of the Copa Argentina in the 13-14, 14-15 and 15-16 editions of the competition, Central travel to Mendoza desperate to end their curse. El Canalla have done well to see off Juventud Antoniana, Talleres, Almagro, arch rivals Newell’s and Temperley to reach this point and will be confident in their ability to finish the job off here.

Whilst Edgardo Bauza’s troops lost their last outing, via a 2-0 defeat at Velez due to resting their entire regular starting XI, they had previously been in good form, beating Estudiantes and San Martin de San Juan and that has spirits high in the camp. Currently 14th in the Superliga table, the side are running along in solid if unspectacular fashion but Friday’s match has undoubtedly been the focus for quite some time.

Meanwhile, having lived in the shadow of local rivals Estudiantes for all of their existence, Friday’s match represents the chance for Gimnasia to finally have their moment of glory. El Lobo have won next to nothing in their 131 year history and as such, this fixture is a huge one for players and supporters alike.

Quite how Gimnasia have made the final defies all logic but here they certainly are. In league action, the side remain in a relegation scrap and look short on quality, currently standing 21st in the table but having put together a fantastic cup run, eliminating Boca and River along the way, Pedro Troglio’s troops more than deserve their place in the final.

Ultimately, whilst Gimnasia have caused several upsets in the competition to reach this point, they’re going to have to cause another one to run out winners, as on paper, Rosario Central are a stronger force than they are and have to be considered big favourites.

Gimnasia arrive in very poor form, having lost 4 of their last 5 games, whilst conceding an average of 2.4 goals in the process. At the other end of the pitch, the picture doesn’t look any brighter for the side, having failed to score in 3 of said matches and at current prices, backing a Central win looks an excellent way to play.

If Central play to their maximum then they should have a bit too much for Gimnasia and we’re more than happy to back them winning in 90 minutes. 1 goal tends to be enough to beat Gimnasia and with Central having scored in 7 of their last 8 games, we fancy them to find it plus an additional goal in a comfortable 2-0 win.