Saturday night is the much maligned Super Final between Velez Sarsfield, champions of the Torneo Inicial in 2012, and Newell’s Old Boys, the new Torneo Final Champions. A place in the Copa Libertadores is up for grabs and another “championship” win to add to the honours plus a healthy amount of cash! We look at the game itself as well as both sides ahead of the big clash in Mendoza.

Gerardo Martino, Newell’s Manager, has already dismissed this game and with it echoed the thoughts of fans throughout the country, “It does not seem logical to play the final. In no other tournament in the world are there three champions in one year”. Frankly, there isn’t much response to this but then the AFA are known to make some rather curious decisions.

For Newell’s the game poses a greater complication as they have a huge Copa Libertadores Semi Final first leg against Atletico Miniero on Wednesday. Having already won the Torneo Final their place in the Libertadores 2014 is confirmed and so this game provides little more than a distraction. However, for financial reasons and pressure from the AFA, Martino has assured the media that he will “take a risk” and pick a strong side to go out to win.

Velez, on the other hand, have had a torrid campaign plagued by injury and poor results and, since their elimination from the Copa Libertadores at the hands of Newell’s, have had nothing to play for. This final has been the only thing for them to prepare for and they will come into it the fresher side and with key players available after injury, most importantly, Facundo ‘Chucky’ Ferreyra, their top scorer last season, and Fernando Gago, who promised so much upon signing but has delivered very little as a result of injury.

A form side, with no real incentive pitted against an out of form side with it all to play for perhaps could make for an interesting Superfinal…we certainly hope so.

VELEZ SARSFIELD

Come into the game off the back of a lousy Torneo Final in which they won only 4 games Velez would ordinarily appear underdogs but with the fresher players and no doubt more motivation they are not to be written off. When these 2 sides met in the Torneo Final it was a few days before their Libertadores first leg so both sides were well below full strength and it was Newell’s who came out on top, winning 3-1 in Liniers. The Libertadores tie was far closer and Velez won the first leg in Rosario 1-0 only to lose 2-1 at home and go out on away goals. The result all but finished their season so Saturday night is the chance to put things right.

Team News

The only remaining injury is to midfielder, Ariel Cabral and with the return of Gago and Ferreyra, Velez should be much stronger.

Possible lineup: Sebastian Sosa; Fabian Cubero (c), Fernando Tobio, Sebastian Dominguez, Emiliano Papa; Gino Peruzzi, Fernando Gago, Franco Razzoti, Federico Insua; Lucas Pratto, Facundo Ferreyra

Key points:

• How will the experienced Dominguez and the defence collectively deal with the league’s top scorer, Ignacio Scocco and the supporting cast of Newell’s attacking outfit?
• Will Fernando Gago be able to dictate the play from midfield after missing such a large part of the season?
• Can Facundo Ferreyra find his shooting boots also after injury?

NEWELL’S OLD BOYS

Newell’s have had an amazing year, winning the Torneo Final and still in with a shot of the Copa Libertadores. As the influential, Gerardo Martino and Ignacio Scocco will be leaving at the end of the season this could provide a nice way to sign off but they will be mindful of Wednesday’s clash with Atletico Miniero. As stated, Newell’s have had the upper hand in their meetings this season but the league meant very little to Velez and the Libertadores matches proved to be narrow affairs. Martino is aware of the qualities of Velez and knows that those games will have little bearing on tomorrow.

Team news

Newell’s are also only missing one player through injury, midfielder, Hernan Villalba so it should be their strongest lineup tomorrow night (if Martino is true to his word!)

Possible lineup: Nahuel Guzman; Marcos Caceres, Santiago Vergini, Gabriel Heinze, Milton Casco; Pablo Perez, Lucas Bernardi, Rinaldo Cruzado; Victor Figueroa, Ignacio Scocco, Maxi Rodriguez

Key points:

• Will the players be motivated for this game and will the risk of injury ahead of the big midweek game be a factor?
• Newell’s defence is vulnerable and concedes plenty so they will need to be mindful of the threat of Ferreyra.
• Will Ignacio Scocco continue his fine form? This provides another opportunity to put himself in the shop window as he looks for a big summer move.