BTN News: After a month-long break due to the Copa América, the Argentine Professional Football League is back in action this Thursday. The pause allowed Argentina’s national team to celebrate their back-to-back Copa América victory. The league restarts with three exciting matches: Argentinos Juniors vs. Tigre, Independiente Rivadavia vs. Gimnasia La Plata, and Instituto vs. Independiente, marking the sixth round of games. The last round ended on June 15, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the return of domestic football.
High Stakes for the Rest of the Season
This semester promises thrilling attractions and decisive moments. The league champion not only wins the trophy but also qualifies for the 2025 Copa Libertadores. They will compete for the Champions Trophy against Estudiantes de La Plata, the 2024 Copa de la Liga winners, and the Argentine Super Cup against the current Copa Argentina champion, to be decided by the end of the year. The annual table standings will determine which teams represent Argentina in the next year’s Libertadores and Sudamericana cups, and which teams will face relegation.
Current Standings and Future Predictions
According to the current standings, alongside Estudiantes (Copa de la Liga champions), Talleres, River, Argentinos Juniors, and the league champion are set to compete in the prestigious Copa Libertadores. Meanwhile, Racing, Unión, Boca, Lanús, Barracas, and Vélez are poised to play in the Sudamericana.
At the lower end of the table, tensions will rise as the season progresses. Tigre, currently at the bottom with just 7 points from 19 games, faces relegation. In the average points table of the last three seasons, Independiente Rivadavia is at the bottom with 0.789 points per game (15 points in 19 games), just four points behind Riestra. Both teams were promoted to the top division at the end of 2023 and can significantly improve their standings with enough points, potentially pushing Central Córdoba, Sarmiento, Tigre, and Platense into the relegation zone.
Intense Transfer Market
The transfer market has been bustling, with over 100 players changing clubs. Some notable transfers include:
- Luis Miguel “Pulga” Rodríguez returning to Atlético Tucumán.
- Gary Medel rejoining Boca.
- Ramón “Wanchope” Ábila back at Huracán.
- Eduardo Salvio and Carlos Izquierdoz to Lanús.
- Marco Ruben back at Rosario Central.
- Sebastián Palacios returning to Talleres.
- Ignacio Schor back at Platense.
- Tomás Belmonte to Boca.
- Adam Bareiro and Valentín Gómez to River.
- Sebastián Villa to Independiente Rivadavia.
- Damián Batallini to Instituto.
- Enzo Copetti to Rosario Central.
- Matías Reali to San Lorenzo.
- Facundo Roncaglia and Nicolás Gaitán to Sarmiento.
Pre-Break League Status
Before the break, five rounds of the Professional League had been played. Talleres, Huracán, and Unión lead the table with 13 points each and remain the only undefeated teams. Among the traditional “big five,” Racing is fourth with 10 points, River seventh with 9 points, Boca eleventh with 7 points, Independiente sixteenth with 6 points, and San Lorenzo near the bottom with just 1 point, ranked 26th out of 28.
Upcoming Matches in Round 6
Round 6 will take place between Thursday and Sunday, featuring key matchups, including the San Lorenzo vs. Huracán derby on Saturday at 3 PM in the Nuevo Gasómetro, broadcast on TNT Sports. Racing will host Godoy Cruz on Saturday, and River will face Lanús on Sunday. Boca will close the round by visiting Defensa y Justicia on Sunday.
Thursday, July 18
- 6:45 PM: Argentinos Juniors vs. Tigre (TNT Sports)
- 7:00 PM: Independiente Rivadavia vs. Gimnasia de La Plata (TV Pública)
- 9:00 PM: Instituto vs. Independiente (TNT Sports)
Friday, July 19
- 3:00 PM: Barracas Central vs. Newell’s (ESPN Premium)
- 7:00 PM: Belgrano vs. Riestra (TNT Sports)
- 9:00 PM: Rosario Central vs. Sarmiento (TV Pública)
Saturday, July 20
- 3:00 PM: San Lorenzo vs. Huracán (TNT Sports)
- 5:00 PM: Racing vs. Godoy Cruz (ESPN Premium)
- 7:30 PM: Banfield vs. Tucumán (ESPN Premium)
Sunday, July 21
- 3:00 PM: River Plate vs. Lanús (TNT Sports)
- 5:15 PM: Central Córdoba vs. Platense (TNT Sports)
- 5:15 PM: Estudiantes de La Plata vs. Unión (ESPN Premium)
- 8:00 PM: Defensa y Justicia vs. Boca Juniors (ESPN Premium)
- 8:00 PM: Vélez vs. Talleres (TNT Sports)
Tournament Format and Broadcast Information
The 2024 Professional League features 378 matches between the first and 27th rounds, broadcast equally by ESPN Premium and TNT Sports, accessible via subscription to the Football Pack. These channels are available on digital platforms like Flow, DGO, and Telecentro Play. Additionally, two matches per round are broadcast free on TV Pública and ESPN.
Teams play each other once, and the team with the most points will be crowned champion. In case of a tie at the top, a final, triangular, or other tie-breaking format will decide the champion.
