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Newell's Old Boys vs Boca Juniors preview

Argentina flag 2026 Liga Profesional de Fútbol, Argentina
Estadio Marcelo Alberto Bielsa Today - 8:00 PM
Liga Profesional de Fútbol
Newell's Old Boys NOB
0 – 0
1ST HALF 17
Boca Juniors BOC
Live : 1st Half Today 8:00 PM
Round 3 2nd Phase

Match Commentary

11
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
10
Update Update
Offside.
3
Attempt Attempt
Miguel Merentiel's left-footed shot is saved.
1
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is Andres Merlos.

Statistics

Possession
NOB
42%
BOC
58%

Top Statistics

0 Big Chances Created 1
0 Shots 1
6 Dangerous attacks 11
46 Possession 54
1 Corners 1
1 Free kicks 2

Match Overview

2 Goal Kicks 0
3 Throwins 2
1 Dribble Attempts 1
0 Successful Dribbles 1
0 Successful Dribbles Percentage 100

Attacking

13 Attacks 21
0 Big Chances Missed 1

Possession

6 Long Passes 5
38 Passes 42
31 Successful Passes 36
82 Successful Passes Percentage 86
0 Key Passes 1
3 Successful Long Passes 1
50 Successful Long Passes Percentage 20

Defensive

1 Saves 0
1 Tackles 2
1 Interceptions 0
4 Duels Won 5

Build-up

1 Total Crosses 5
1 Accurate Crosses 2

Discipline

1 Offsides 0
2 Fouls 1

Lineup

Referee : Andrés Merlos

Starting XI ▼

30
Josué Reinatti
Josué Reinatti Goalkeeper
7.31
17
Lautaro Giannetti
Lautaro Giannetti Defender
7.16
23
Nicolás Goitea
Nicolás Goitea Defender
6.71
24
Franco Escobar
Franco Escobar Defender
6.68
28
Jeronimo Russo
Jeronimo Russo Defender
6.92
5
Luca Regiardo
Luca Regiardo Midfielder
6.72
7
Walter Mazzantti
Walter Mazzantti Midfielder
6.5
8
David Sotelo
David Sotelo Midfielder
6.64
20
Facundo Guch
Facundo Guch Midfielder
6.77
39
Thomas Rios
Thomas Rios Midfielder
6.45
9
Matías Cóccaro
Matías Cóccaro Attacker
6.71
Referee : Andrés Merlos

Starting XI ▼

1
Álvaro Montero
Álvaro Montero Goalkeeper
6.08
2
Lautaro Di Lollo
Lautaro Di Lollo Defender
7.05
3
Lautaro Blanco
Lautaro Blanco Defender
7.03
24
Dylan Gorosito
Dylan Gorosito Defender
6.53
32
Ayrton Costa
Ayrton Costa Defender
6.94
5
Leandro Paredes
Leandro Paredes (C) Midfielder
7.57
10
Tomás Aranda
Tomás Aranda Midfielder
7.05
19
Leonel Benjamín Flores
Leonel Benjamín Flores Midfielder
6.84
22
Sebastián Villa
Sebastián Villa Midfielder
7.55
25
Santiago Ascacíbar
Santiago Ascacíbar Midfielder
7.5
16
Miguel Merentiel
Miguel Merentiel Attacker
6.89

CONTEXT

The first half has begun at minute 0 between Newell's Old Boys and Boca Juniors with both sides showing measured intent from the opening whistle. Possession sits evenly balanced at fifty percent each as neither team has yet established a clear territorial edge. Pre-match signals pointed to Boca Juniors carrying greater structural strength yet the live picture remains aligned with an even start and no deviation in efficiency. No shots have registered so far leaving expected goals at zero for both sides while disciplinary records stay clean with zero red cards issued. The opening exchanges feature cautious build-up play and limited transitions as each side probes for openings without committing numbers forward. This neutral beginning mirrors the pre-game expectation of a competitive encounter where early control has not shifted toward the projected stronger side.

TL;DR

  • Live state: The match is at minute 0 of the first half with an even start and no side claiming qualitative control.
  • Structural vs live: Boca Juniors entered as the stronger side yet live conditions show full alignment with pre-match balance.
  • Projection vs live: Live developments sit neutral against pre-match projections with no early leader emerging.
  • xG trend: Expected goals remain at zero for both teams with no shots recorded in the opening phase.
  • Possession profile: Possession is split evenly at fifty percent each reflecting a balanced opening against pre-match signals.
  • Event impact: No red cards or key events have occurred keeping the game state clean and in line with expectations.
  • Second-half outlook: Live efficiency trend is in line with; The remainder should be decided by execution in transitions and set plays.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
A. Merlos
A. Merlos
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.4
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
F. Rodríguez
F. Rodríguez
1st Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
J. Del Fueyo
J. Del Fueyo
2nd Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
A. Vegetti
A. Vegetti
4th Official • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Newell's Old Boys F. Kudelka
F. Kudelka
VS
Boca Juniors R. Arruabarrena
R. Arruabarrena
1.13
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
1.6
1.5 i
Last 6 Opponents
Independiente Rank: 71 L
Talleres Córdoba Rank: 62 W
Vélez Sarsfield Rank: 70 D
Instituto Rank: 64 D
Unión Santa Fe Rank: 63 W
San Lorenzo Rank: 65 D
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
1.67 i
Last 6 Opponents
Deportivo Riestra Rank: 60 L
Huracán Rank: 66 L
Central Cordoba SdE Rank: 61 W
Defensa y Justicia Rank: 60 W
River Plate Rank: 70 W
Independiente Rank: 71 D
1
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
1 - 0 - 3
3

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
60.12
72.58
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Newell's Old Boys
Boca Juniors
Power Score
60.12
72.58
League Position
14
14
Global Rank
611
235

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Newell's Old Boys — Opponent-weighted form score
Boca Juniors — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Newell's Old Boys Boca Juniors

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

Newell's Old Boys

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Boca Juniors

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —
Possession Efficiency data not available for this match.

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

Newell's Old Boys
vs
Boca Juniors
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Newell's Old Boys Boca Juniors
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
—
—
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
— vs —
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
Newell's Old Boys Boca Juniors
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
—
—
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
— vs —
Newell's Old Boys
Boca Juniors
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
Newell's Old Boys
vs
Boca Juniors
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Newell's Old Boys Boca Juniors
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
Newell's Old Boys 0.00
Boca Juniors 0.00
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Newell's Old Boys Boca Juniors
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
Newell's Old Boys 0.00
Boca Juniors 0.00
Newell's Old Boys
Boca Juniors
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • BOC had peak pressure around 6'.
  • BOC started the game with stronger pressure.
  • Both teams' pressure dropped after the 30th minute.
NOB Pressure BOC Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: BOC reached the top pressure at 6' (22.63).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 4 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Newell's Old Boys NOB Home
4 matches
Boca Juniors BOC Away
Match Record
1
Wins
3
0
Draws
0
3
Losses
1
Goals
2
Goals Scored
8
8
Goals Conceded
2
-6
Goal Difference
+6
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-08-02T19:30:38+00:00

PLAYERS CURRENTLY PLAYING

Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Pitch
J. Reinatti Balansino
Argentina
30 J. Reinatti Balansino
F. Escobar
Argentina
24 F. Escobar
N. Goitea
Argentina
23 N. Goitea
L. Gianetti
Argentina
17 L. Gianetti
J. Russo
Argentina
28 J. Russo
D. Sotelo
Argentina
8 D. Sotelo
L. Regiardo
5 L. Regiardo
W. Mazzantti
Argentina
7 W. Mazzantti
F. Guch
20 F. Guch
L.Rios
Argentina
39 L.Rios
M. Cóccaro Ferreira
Uruguay
9 M. Cóccaro Ferreira
Á. Montero Perales
Colombia
1 Á. Montero Perales
L. Blanco
Argentina
3 L. Blanco
A. Costa
Argentina
32 A. Costa
L. Di Lollo
Argentina
2 L. Di Lollo
D. Gorosito
Argentina
24 D. Gorosito
S. Ascacíbar
Argentina
25 S. Ascacíbar
L. Paredes
Argentina
5 (C) L. Paredes
S. Villa Cano
Colombia
22 S. Villa Cano
T. Aranda
Argentina
10 T. Aranda
L. Flores
19 L. Flores
M. Merentiel Serrano
Uruguay
16 M. Merentiel Serrano

General Information

Date & Time
Aug 02, 2026, 08:00 PM
Competition
2026 Liga Profesional de Fútbol, Argentina · Round 3 · 2nd Phase
Stadium
Estadio Marcelo Alberto Bielsa
Capacity
49000
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Andrés Merlos
Facundo Rodríguez
Juan Del Fueyo
Agustín Vegetti

CONCLUSION

Newell's Old Boys and Boca Juniors have opened the contest in a controlled manner that has so far prevented either side from gaining a qualitative foothold. The even possession and absence of early chances suggest both teams are prioritizing structure over immediate risk. With no disciplinary incidents the match remains open for tactical adjustments once patterns become clearer. The pre-match view of Boca as the stronger outfit has not translated into live dominance at this stage leaving the contest poised for further development. As the first half progresses the focus will likely shift toward creating the first meaningful opportunities while maintaining defensive shape.