Racing Club Avellaneda — Velez Sarsfield : Match Preview and Prediction for September 24,2025

Racing Club’s Current Form: A Deeper Look

Superficially, Racing Club seems to be in superb form heading into the second leg, boasting three straight wins, all achieved without conceding. However, a deeper look reveals some nuances. While a 1-0 away victory over Velez Sarsfield provides a narrow lead, head coach Gustavo Costas himself acknowledged post-match that his squad’s performance was far from optimal, despite securing the win. This critical point often goes unnoticed by many analysts.

Statistical Anomalies in Recent Victories

Following this, Racing secured a 2-0 league win against Huracán. While the score appears dominant, the underlying statistics tell a different story. Huracán outshot Racing 20-10 and generated significantly more dangerous opportunities, reflected in the xG figures of 2.70 for Huracán against Racing’s 1.63. ‘La Academia’ notably conceded four clear-cut chances, which is a significant concern for a team playing at home in a critical playoff decider.

Key Player Concerns and Tactical Reliance

Furthermore, the team faces personnel challenges. Attacking midfielder Santiago Solari’s availability is in serious doubt due to muscle fatigue. While the club will assess him until the very last moment, his potential absence or limited capacity would severely diminish their offensive firepower. Racing appears to be heavily reliant on moments of individual brilliance and fortunate breaks rather than a cohesive tactical approach, a strategy that could prove detrimental.

Velez Sarsfield: Underestimated Resilience

Velez Sarsfield, despite their first-leg defeat, is a side that many might prematurely dismiss. ‘El Fortín’ has suffered only two losses in their last ten outings, indicating robust resilience and a capacity to absorb pressure. It’s crucial to recall that in the initial match, they endured over half the game with a man disadvantage following the dismissal of crucial defender Lisandro Magallán. While his absence will undoubtedly be felt, the team has already adapted to playing without him.

The Return of a Key Striker: Braian Romero

The most significant development for Velez is the comeback of forward Braian Romero. Having been sidelined by a muscle tear and missing the first leg, he is now fit and ready to play, potentially even featuring from the opening whistle. This represents a massive offensive reinforcement, addressing the lack of cutting edge that plagued their performance in the initial fixture. Romero is a pivotal player, fully capable of influencing the game’s outcome single-handedly.

Consistent Performance and Squad Depth

In their recent league fixture, Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s squad secured a 2-1 away victory against San Martín, notably resting several influential players. This demonstrates strong team morale and impressive squad depth. Moreover, consider their formidable recent trend: Velez Sarsfield has remained undefeated in 13 of their last 15 matches. This exceptional run suggests a consistent pattern of strong performance rather than mere chance.