Defensa y Justicia — Boca Juniors : Match Preview and Prediction for September 28,2025

Home Field Advantage

On their home turf, Defensa y Justicia presents a completely different challenge. Head-to-head statistics clearly support this, as they have remained undefeated in 4 out of their last 5 matches against Boca Juniors. This is a compelling factor that cannot be overlooked. Their home stadium, Norberto Tomaghello, truly transforms into a fortress for them.

Dominant Home Performance and Tactical Prowess

In the current tournament, Defensa y Justicia has avoided defeat in 8 of their 11 home fixtures. Under Mariano Soso’s leadership, the team excels at imposing its style of play, particularly on their home ground. The numbers speak for themselves: they lead the league in ball possession (averaging 63.78%), number of passes, and passing accuracy. This indicates that they won’t surrender the initiative easily; instead, they will dictate the pace of the game.

Offensive Threat and Discipline

Furthermore, the team ranks first in shots on target. This suggests that their possession isn’t merely sterile ball circulation but rather a purposeful offensive pressure that translates into genuine scoring opportunities. Despite their aggressive play, Defensa y Justicia is also the league’s most disciplined team, having accumulated the fewest yellow cards. They avoid giving opponents unnecessary free-kick chances and rarely find themselves playing with a man disadvantage.

Coaching Absence and Instability

Boca Juniors travels for this away fixture facing a multitude of issues. The most significant is the absence of head coach Miguel Ángel Russo from the sidelines. Although he has been discharged from the hospital, he will not be managing the team at the stadium. Assistant Claudio Úbeda will step in, which inevitably introduces an element of uncertainty and disrupts the team’s usual tactical leadership.

Key Attacking Players Sidelined

Adding to their woes are significant personnel losses in the attacking lineup. Key striker Edinson Cavani will be absent due to injury. Just before the match, another crucial attacking player, Carlos Palacios, was also ruled out with a muscle injury. Without two of their primary offensive players, creating scoring chances will be considerably more challenging.

Poor Form and Away Record

Boca’s recent results also fail to inspire confidence in their chances of victory. The team has drawn its last two matches. Particularly telling was the encounter against Central Córdoba, where Boca squandered a 2-0 lead, finishing with a 2-2 draw. This outcome was described as a “draw with the taste of defeat” in the Argentine press. Furthermore, Boca Juniors’ away statistics are dismal, as they have failed to win in 7 of their last 9 road games.