Torneo Clausura round 14 preview: Independiente host Boca, River host Racing and Central host Huracán

This preview covers 14 of the 15 matches in round 14 of the Torneo Clausura, from Friday to Monday; Argentinos Juniors v Independiente Rivadavia, which closes the round on Tuesday 27 October, is not included. The match to watch first is on Sunday in Avellaneda: Independiente, eighth in Zona A, the last qualifying place, host Boca, second on 24 points and unbeaten in 12 matches. In Zona B, Rosario Central, top on goal difference, host Huracán on Saturday, and on Sunday River play Racing at the Monumental. Instituto, five points clear at the top of Zona A, play on Monday.

Friday 23 October

Gimnasia de La Plata v Sarmiento (18:00 Buenos Aires time). Zona B, at the Juan Carmelo Zerillo. Gimnasia de La Plata are fourth on 22 points and unbeaten in their last five matches; Sarmiento, fifth on 21, have one of the tournament's top scorers in J. Marabel, with 14. Gimnasia won the last two meetings in Junín, 2–1 in April 2026 and 1–0 in October 2025; in March 2025 it was 0–0 in La Plata.

Gimnasia de Mendoza v Platense (18:30 Buenos Aires time). Zona A, at the Víctor Legrotaglie. Gimnasia de Mendoza are seventh on 20 points and A. Módica has 13 goals; Platense, 13th on 11, have not won in their last five matches. In April 2026 they drew 1–1 at Platense's ground.

Tigre v Atlético Tucumán (21:15 Buenos Aires time). Zona B, at the José Dellagiovanna. Tigre, 11th on 13 points, drew 2–2 in Mendoza to end a run of five defeats; Atlético Tucumán, 10th on 14, have lost four of their last five. In April 2026 it was 0–0 in Tucumán.

Saturday 24 October

Banfield v Lanús (14:45 Buenos Aires time). The inter-zone match and the southern derby, at the Florencio Sola. Banfield are 12th in Zona B on 13 points; Lanús, fifth in Zona A on 23, have won four of their last five and conceded nine goals, the fewest in the tournament. Lanús won 1–0 at home in April 2026; Banfield had won 2–1 at the Florencio Sola in November 2025.

Talleres v Defensa y Justicia (17:00 Buenos Aires time). Zona A, at the Mario Alberto Kempes. Talleres are bottom of the zone on nine points; Defensa y Justicia, third on 24 on goal difference, lost to Instituto last round. Talleres won 2–1 in Florencio Varela in April 2026.

San Lorenzo v Newell's (19:15 Buenos Aires time). Zona A, at the Pedro Bidegain. San Lorenzo, ninth on 17 points, are two behind Independiente in eighth and have scored seven goals, the fewest in the tournament; Newell's are sixth on 20. In April 2026 it was 0–0 in Rosario; Newell's won 3–0 in Buenos Aires in October 2023.

Rosario Central v Huracán (21:30 Buenos Aires time). Zona B, at the Gigante de Arroyito. Central lead on 25 points, level with Argentinos Juniors but with a better goal difference, +9 to +6, and Á. Di María has 10 goals; Huracán are eighth on 19 and J. Caicedo has 14 goals. Central have not beaten Huracán in the last four meetings: Huracán won 3–1 at home in April 2026 and 1–0 in Rosario in May 2025 and July 2024. Central's last win was 1–0 in Rosario in October 2023.

Sunday 25 October

Aldosivi v Belgrano (14:45 Buenos Aires time). Zona B, at the José María Minella. Aldosivi are bottom on eight points; Belgrano, third on 22, lost 3–0 to River last round. Belgrano won 1–0 in Córdoba in April 2026; in August 2025 it was 0–0 in Mar del Plata.

Independiente v Boca (17:00 Buenos Aires time). Zona A, at the Libertadores de América. Independiente are eighth on 19 points, one behind Newell's and Gimnasia de Mendoza and two ahead of San Lorenzo, and G. Ávalos has 11 goals. Boca are second on 24, five behind Instituto, and have not lost since the first round. According to Infobae, they come into the match after beating Vasco da Gama 3–1 at the Maracanã to reach the Copa Sudamericana final, with a goal from Leandro Paredes, a second-half substitute, on 87. La Nación reports that Rodolfo Arruabarrena was already thinking about the clásico: "We have to defend the annual table," he said. According to Infobae, the Superclásico against River is on Sunday 1 November at the Bombonera. Boca have not beaten Independiente since a 2–0 win in Avellaneda in July 2023; since then there have been a 0–0, Independiente's 1–0 win at the Bombonera in May 2025 and a 1–1 in April 2026.

River v Racing (19:15 Buenos Aires time). Zona B, at the Monumental. River are sixth on 20 points after beating Belgrano 3–0; according to Infobae, Fausto Vera tore his right hamstring in that match and will miss this one and the Superclásico. Racing are 13th on 12, seven off the top eight with nine points left to play for, and drew the Avellaneda derby 1–1. River won 2–0 in Avellaneda in April 2026; before that, Racing had won 3–2 at home in November 2025.

Barracas Central v Estudiantes de Río Cuarto (21:30 Buenos Aires time). Zona B, at the Claudio Fabián Tapia. Barracas Central are seventh on 19 points; Estudiantes de Río Cuarto, 14th on nine, beat Aldosivi 2–1 last round. Barracas won 2–1 in Río Cuarto in April 2026.

Central Córdoba v Vélez (21:30 Buenos Aires time). Zona A, at the Único Madre de Ciudades. Central Córdoba are 14th on 10 points; Vélez, fourth on 24, have a 10-goal scorer in R. Martínez. Vélez won 1–0 in Liniers in April 2026; Central Córdoba won 1–0 in the Copa Argentina in December 2024.

Monday 26 October

Unión v Estudiantes de La Plata (19:00 Buenos Aires time). Zona A, at the 15 de Abril. Unión and Estudiantes de La Plata both have 14 points, five off eighth place. Unión have not won in their last five matches. Estudiantes won 2–1 in La Plata in April 2026; Unión won 1–0 in Santa Fe in July 2025.

Instituto v Deportivo Riestra (21:15 Buenos Aires time). Zona A, at the Presidente Perón. Instituto lead on 29 points and have won nine of their 13 matches, more than anyone; Deportivo Riestra are 12th on 12 and have won only two matches all tournament. Instituto won 1–0 at Riestra's ground in April 2026; Riestra had won 1–0 at home in October 2025.

The zones before Friday

Points, with matches played in brackets. The top eight in each zone go through to the round of 16; the bar marks the cut-off. After this round, two rounds remain.

• Zona A: Instituto 29 (13); Boca 24 (13); Defensa y Justicia 24 (13); Vélez 24 (13); Lanús 23 (13); Newell's 20 (13); Gimnasia de Mendoza 20 (13); Independiente 19 (13) | San Lorenzo 17 (13); Estudiantes de La Plata 14 (13); Unión 14 (13); Deportivo Riestra 12 (13); Platense 11 (13); Central Córdoba 10 (13); Talleres 9 (13).
• Zona B: Rosario Central 25 (13); Argentinos Juniors 25 (13); Belgrano 22 (13); Gimnasia de La Plata 22 (13); Sarmiento 21 (13); River 20 (13); Barracas Central 19 (13); Huracán 19 (13) | Independiente Rivadavia 19 (13); Atlético Tucumán 14 (13); Tigre 13 (13); Banfield 13 (13); Racing 12 (13); Estudiantes de Río Cuarto 9 (13); Aldosivi 8 (13).

In Zona B, Barracas Central, Huracán and Independiente Rivadavia have 19 points, and only two of them are in the top eight as things stand.

Numbers to know

• Unión's C. Tarragona, Sarmiento's J. Marabel and Huracán's J. Caicedo have 14 goals; Gimnasia de Mendoza's A. Módica has 13.
• Lanús have conceded nine goals, the fewest in the tournament; San Lorenzo have scored seven, the fewest.
• Sarmiento have scored 22 goals, more than anyone; Aldosivi and Unión have conceded 22, the most.

Both zones in full, with kick-off times in Buenos Aires time, are on the Liga Profesional page.

Sources for the context: La Nación, Infobae, Infobae, Infobae.