SUNDAY SOCCER - RACING CLUB VS. BANFIELD

Racing will finally be able to field a proper back four, with the returns of Ivan Pillud and Lucas Licht this weekend in the full back positions. Manager Alfio Basile won't, however, be able to pick his very strongest lineup, because centre back Matias Martinez picked up his fifth yellow card of the season during the 1-0 loss away to Godoy Cruz last weekend, and will be suspended here. Patricio Toranzo might come in to replace Lucas Castro, who’s not impressed so far.

For Banfield, Alejandro Delfino will return from suspension, but they have no fewer than three others suspended for this match: Jonatan Gomez, who had been a doubt prior to the game, and Facundo Ferreyra both picked up their fifth yellow cards of 2011-12, and Roberto Brum was sent off during the heavy 4-0 home defeat to Velez Sarsfield.

Racing
Suspended: Matias Martinez (five yellow cards accumulated)
Doubtful:
Injured/unavailable: Luis Fariña (right meniscus); Bruno Zuculini (right ankle)

Banfield
Suspended: Jonatan Gomez, Facundo Ferreyra (both five yellow cards accumulated); Roberto Brum (sent off in previous match)
Doubtful:
Injured/unavailable:

MATCH PREVIEW

Racing haven't started the new year under Alfio Basile brilliantly; they've got a draw and a defeat so far, and looked the worse team in the match they drew, as well. They have yet to score in a competitive game under Basile in spite of undoubted quality in attack, but if those records and their confidence are going to change soon, it'll happen here, because Banfield have started the Clausura every bit as woefully as they played throughout the Apertura. Racing are three league games without a win; Banfield have gone nine matches since their last victory, and eight of those were defeats. Away from home, they've lost all of their last seven games. As such I don't think I can advise anything other than betting on a Racing win here. Basile's Racing side aren't very organised at present but the return to a flat back four should help them, and against Banfield they have to score. If Teo Gutierrez and Gio Moreno find form it could be a thrashing, but even if that doesn't happen, I still have to back Racing to win.

HEAD TO HEAD

Racing have won five of these sides' last eleven meetings (all in the last six matches), and Banfield have won five, leaving one draw, back in May 2007. In the Apertura, Racing got a 1-0 away win back in August