Estudiantes’ six home clean sheets offer an edge against Newells

A chance to change the Clausura picture in La Plata

Estudiantes L.P. welcome Newells Old Boys to Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi on Monday, August 31, with both sides looking to strengthen their position in Clausura Group A. The match begins at 22:00 UTC, with J. Pafundi appointed referee.

The current table gives Newells the clearer early advantage. They are seventh with 10 points from six matches, recording three wins, one draw and two losses. Estudiantes are 14th on six points, with two wins and four defeats. That gap gives Newells an opportunity to extend their advantage, while Estudiantes need a positive result at home to move closer to the leading positions.

Contrasting momentum before Monday

Estudiantes arrive with an uneven recent sequence. Their most recent result was a loss, following another defeat, a win and a loss in their previous three matches. Across their last five games, they have won twice and lost three times, leaving them searching for consistency despite having produced victories earlier in the run.

Newells have a more encouraging immediate trend. Their latest two results were wins, although those victories came after a loss and a draw. Their wider form remains mixed, with seven defeats in their last 22 listed matches, but the consecutive wins offer useful momentum heading into the trip to La Plata.

Formation likely to shape the contest

Both teams most frequently use a 4-2-3-1, suggesting a familiar structural reference for the matchup. Estudiantes have used that formation in 15 matches, while Newells have selected it 13 times. The shared shape could produce a contest focused on the midfield spacing between each side’s two deeper players and attacking midfield line.

Estudiantes have also used a 4-1-4-1, 4-4-2 and 5-3-2, while Newells have rotated through 4-3-3, 4-1-4-1, 3-4-2-1 and 4-4-2. Those alternatives give both coaches options if the central areas become crowded or if the game demands a more defensive setup. The home side’s most effective route may be to make its familiar shape count early, while Newells will want their recent attacking confidence to survive the change of venue.

Home strength against an away weakness

Estudiantes’ home numbers are a major part of the preview. They have won seven of 12 home games, scoring 18 goals and conceding only seven, with six clean sheets. Newells, by contrast, have won two of 10 away matches, drawing two and losing six. They have scored 10 away goals, conceded 20 and kept no clean sheets on the road.

Prediction: Estudiantes L.P. 2-1 Newells Old Boys. Estudiantes’ home defensive record should give them the edge, although Newells’ improved recent momentum points to a competitive contest.