Newell's Old Boys (r) vs Huracan (r) on 3 February
The stage is set for an intriguing clash in the Argentine Reserve League as two of the country’s footballing heavyweights—Newell's Old Boys (r) and Huracán (r)—square off on February 3rd. The match, taking place at the iconic Estadio Marcelo Bielsa, promises to be a tactical battle that could significantly impact both teams’ campaigns. Newell's, with their rich history in nurturing young talent, will look to maintain momentum, while Huracán seeks to assert their dominance in the race for top spots. With pride and precious points on the line, both sides have a lot to play for in this thrilling encounter.
Newell's Old Boys (r): Tactical Approach and Current Form
Newell's Old Boys (r) have been in solid form in recent matches, with three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five games. Their tactical setup under coach Javier Sanguinetti revolves around a well-balanced 4-4-2 formation, where the emphasis is on high pressing, fluid transitions, and quick ball circulation. They rank high in xG (expected goals) per match, averaging 1.45 in their recent outings, largely due to their sharp counter-attacking play and strong build-up from midfield. Their ball possession averages 55% in the final third, indicating their intent to dominate the attacking phase of the game. Key players for Newell's include attacking midfielder Nicolás Castro, who has been instrumental in the transition play with his sharp passing and vision. Meanwhile, 19-year-old winger Alan Rodríguez has shown glimpses of brilliance with his pace and dribbling skills, often causing trouble for opposition defenders. However, a potential concern for the team is the absence of defender Ignacio Sanabria, who has been sidelined with an injury. His absence weakens their defensive stability, and it will be critical for the remaining defenders to step up. The focus will be on how well they press Huracán's backline, as they can often exploit defensive mistakes with their quick turnovers. Given Huracán’s tendency to hold possession, Newell’s pressing will be vital to their chances of controlling the tempo and creating chances.
Huracán (r): Tactical Approach and Current Form
Huracán (r) has had a mixed run of form in their last five matches, with two wins, two losses, and one draw. Their 4-3-3 system under coach Néstor Apuzzo is built around maintaining possession and controlling the midfield through short passing sequences. They have averaged 60% possession in their last few games, and they tend to build from the back with a patient approach. Huracán's attacking threat stems from their wide players, particularly winger Juan Gauto, whose deliveries into the box have created several scoring opportunities. The team’s xG stands at 1.25, which indicates that while they are controlling possession, they have been less clinical in converting chances. Huracán’s central midfielders—Marcos Díaz and Santiago Hezze—are key to dictating the tempo, especially in breaking down Newell’s press. Díaz’s range of passing is crucial to finding runners from deep, while Hezze’s box-to-box role ensures defensive cover. However, Huracán has struggled with set pieces, both defensively and offensively, and this could be an area that Newell’s targets. The recent injury to central defender Diego Mercado could be a significant blow to Huracán’s backline. Mercado’s experience and leadership in organizing the defense will be sorely missed, and this may allow Newell’s to exploit gaps in Huracán's defensive shape, particularly in wide areas. Huracán will need to adjust quickly and rely on their midfield dominance to control the match.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
In their previous encounters this season, Huracán and Newell’s Old Boys have shared the spoils with one win apiece and a draw. The most recent meeting saw Huracán edge out Newell’s 2-1 in a high-intensity match, with both teams displaying tactical discipline and intensity. Historically, these two sides have been closely matched, with Huracán holding a slight edge in their last five meetings, winning three, and Newell’s securing two victories. Psychologically, Huracán will be buoyed by their recent victory over Newell’s, but Newell’s will be motivated to avenge that defeat, especially with the match being on their home turf. The tension between these two sides is palpable, with both clubs battling for supremacy in the league. Expect a match full of fiery tackles, high presses, and tactical intricacies.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
One of the most crucial battles will take place on the flanks. Newell’s winger Alan Rodríguez will look to exploit the potential gaps left by Huracán’s full-backs, who often push forward to join the attack. Rodríguez’s pace and dribbling could be the key to unlocking Huracán’s defense. However, Huracán’s right-back, Leonardo Gutiérrez, has been in solid form, and his duel with Rodríguez will likely determine the outcome of this tactical clash. Another critical battle will occur in the center of midfield, where Newell’s Nicolás Castro and Huracán’s Marcos Díaz will compete for dominance. Castro’s creativity and vision will be tested against Díaz’s ability to control the midfield tempo. Whoever comes out on top in this battle will have a significant impact on dictating the flow of the game, and it will likely determine which team gains the upper hand in transition play. Finally, the aerial duels in set-piece situations will be a deciding factor. Newell’s have often been dangerous from corners and free-kicks, while Huracán has been vulnerable in these situations. The delivery from Newell’s set-piece specialists will be key, and it’s up to Huracán’s defenders to deal with the aerial threat posed by Newell’s taller players.
Match Scenario and Prediction
Considering both teams’ strengths and weaknesses, the most likely match scenario is a tight, tactical contest with moments of individual brilliance. Newell’s will likely press Huracán high up the pitch to force errors and capitalize on Huracán’s defensive vulnerabilities. On the other hand, Huracán will attempt to dominate possession and utilize their width to stretch Newell’s defense. The absence of Diego Mercado could prove to be a decisive factor in Huracán’s ability to deal with Newell’s attacking transitions. We expect Newell’s to edge out Huracán with a narrow 2-1 victory. Key game metrics to watch will be possession stats (where Huracán will dominate), xG (which could lean towards Newell’s due to their efficiency in attack), and pressing actions (where Newell’s will likely have an advantage). Both teams will likely score, but Newell’s superior pressing game will give them the edge in creating more clear-cut chances.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, this match will come down to how well each team executes their tactical game plan. Newell’s will look to exploit Huracán’s defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in wide areas and set pieces, while Huracán will try to impose their possession-based style. The key question this match will answer is whether Huracán can withstand Newell’s high pressing and exploit their defensive gaps. If Newell’s can control the tempo and transition quickly, they will come away with the points.
