Banfield vs Lanus Predictions

Whilst it’s Saturday’s game between Boca and River that’s getting all of the attention in Buenos Aires this weekend, it’s not the only derby happening in the city, with Banfield and Lanus also doing battle on Sunday evening. It’s the hosts that arrive in better shape and they’ll be looking to secure bragging rights in front of the home crowd.

Banfield have played some good football in stages so far this season, but the results haven’t always followed. Nonetheless, El Taladro really clicked into gear last weekend, hammering Aldosivi 4-1 away from home with an excellent attacking showing and with said win having lifted the side up to 11th place, those taking to the pitch on Sunday will be looking to create further momentum with another strong performances.

Having lost just 1 of their last 6 league matches, Julio Cesar Falcioni’s troops are in pretty strong form and typically more of a force on their own patch than on the road, confidence is high going into what’s a huge occasion. The Estadio Florencio Sola is expected to be close to a sell out for the game and if those in green play to their maximum, they should send those attending home happy against what’s a very poor Lanus outfit.

Indeed, El Granate’s fall from grace has been quite something and remarkably, they now find themselves in danger of being dragged into a relegation battle. Just under a year ago, Lanus were competing in the final of the Copa Libertadores but amidst numerous changes in personnel, they’re now a side that’s won just once in almost 4 months and finds themselves just above the drop zone on the average points table.

Luis Zubeldía has failed to inspire an upturn in form since coming in as boss a couple of months ago and the issue really does look like being on the pitch rather than in the dugout, with the squad desperately short on quality. Currently second bottom in the table and having lost 7 of the last 10 games, the visitors arrive with confidence at rock bottom and the fact that they’ve only scored once in their last 4 away games tells you everything you need to know as regards their chances of recording success in this trip.

Ultimately, the famous saying goes that the form book goes out of the window on derby day and Lanus will certainly be hoping that’s true, because if not, they look to have no chance whatsoever. They’ve been simply atrocious for such an extended period of time and it’s hard to have any sort of faith in them against just about anyone.

On the other hand, Banfield have looked a reasonably strong side in the action we’ve seen so far and with the crowd behind them, we’re more than happy to back them winning the match at a more than reasonable price. We think the hosts will have far too much for a Lanus team that cannot buy a win and a 2-0 home victory appears to be on the cards.