As the floodlights switch on above the Estadio Alfredo Terrera in Santiago del Estero, anticipation surges for a crucial Group A clash in the Argentine Primera Division 2026, Apertura phase. On April 6th, with kick-off scheduled for 02:30 CEST, Central Cordoba welcomes Newells Old Boys in a fixture that transcends points—it’s a contest laced with tactical intrigue, historical resonance, and high stakes for both sides.
This encounter arrives with Central Cordoba desperate to cement mid-table stability and Newells Old Boys striving to spark a turnaround in what has been a challenging campaign. The terraces will be buzzing not only with passionate local supporters but also with the hum of national attention, as both teams look to reverse recent fortunes under the respective stewardship of Jeff Strasser and Frank Kudelka.
Within the unfolding 90 minutes, two players emerge as clear protagonists: for Central Cordoba, Walter Mazzantti’s pace and work rate on the flank offer both direct threat and creative spark; for Newells Old Boys, Facundo Samuel Guch’s box-to-box dynamism—he recently netted one of his team’s rare goals—is pivotal for connecting midfield to attack and breaking opposition lines. Their performances could tip the balance in a finely poised contest.
The “hot stat”? Newells Old Boys enter this fixture with 9 yellow cards accrued across their last five matches—the highest among the two teams—which underlines both their defensive desperation and potential disciplinary vulnerability.
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Central Cordoba vs Newells Old Boys predictions
My best bet: Central Cordoba to win.
Central Cordoba have demonstrated greater composure and tactical balance than their visitors, particularly when playing at home. Despite recent inconsistencies, their defensive organization and clinical counter-attacks have yielded better results than Newells Old Boys, whose confidence and cohesiveness have been tested throughout the Apertura. The hosts’ 2-0 win against Talleres and resilience in draws suggest a side capable of exploiting Newells’ defensive lapses—exacerbated by a spate of yellow cards and a worrying -15 goal difference.
On the pitch, Central Cordoba’s preference for a 4-2-3-1 formation allows them to absorb pressure and break swiftly, while Newells Old Boys’ recent switch to a 5-3-2 signals both a defensive posture and a search for solidity. Newells’ high foul and card count—37 fouls and 9 bookings in the last five matches—points towards aggressive pressing that often slips into recklessness, potentially gifting set pieces or reducing them to ten men. Ball possession will likely favour Central Cordoba, whose passing accuracy is as-yet statistically undefined but has supported more sustainable build-up patterns than Newells Old Boys’ 763 completed passes in the same match span.
- ⚽Total Goals: Under 2.5
- 💥Both Teams To Score: No
- 🎯Total Corners: Over 8.5
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Their recent head-to-head duels illuminate a slight edge for Central Cordoba, with the home side claiming two wins and one draw in the last four meetings. Encounters have been tightly contested, with small tactical adjustments and moments of individual brilliance often separating the sides. Notably, Central Cordoba’s resilience came to the fore in a 3-2 Copa Argentina thriller, while Newells Old Boys’ last victory in league play dates back over a season—an indicator of their current struggles.
🚨Read our full Central Cordoba vs Newells Old Boys stats for more analysis.
Key Stats
- Central Cordoba have conceded just two goals in their last three home matches.
- Newells Old Boys have managed only one league win in 2026, the lowest in Group A.
- Newells Old Boys have received 9 yellow and 1 red card in their last five matches—a disciplinary concern.
- Last meeting at Estadio Alfredo Terrera ended in a 1-1 draw.
- Central Cordoba have not lost to Newells Old Boys in each of the last three home encounters.
Central Cordoba vs Newells Old Boys score prediction: 2-0
Given the form lines and defensive gaps exposed by Newells Old Boys throughout the Apertura phase, a 2-0 victory for Central Cordoba appears most plausible. Walter Mazzantti’s attacking movement and Jeronimo Russo’s creativity in advanced areas could unlock a backline that has not settled under pressure. Meanwhile, Facundo Samuel Guch will be crucial for Newells in midfield, but with little sustained support up front and disciplinary issues looming, the visitors may struggle to penetrate Cordoba’s defensive lines.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Central Cordoba the favourite
| Moneyline | Central Cordoba 2.41 | Newells Old Boys 3.20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Draw | 2.90 | |
| Over/Under | Over 2.5 2.75 | Under 2.5 1.48 | |
| BTTS (both teams to score) | Yes 2.00 | No 1.68 | |
Bookmakers rightfully assign Central Cordoba as favourites, attributed to their steadier form and home advantage. With an aggregate win probability of 39 percent, Cordoba’s pricing reflects both their competitive record at Estadio Alfredo Terrera and Newells Old Boys’ league-worst defensive statistics. The higher odds on Newells, set at an average of 3.20, reflect the low confidence in their attacking output and frailties at the back. Draws remain a realistic proposition given both sides’ histories, but momentum sits squarely with Strasser’s men.
Central Cordoba vs Newells Old Boys Over/Under Analysis
- Four of the last five H2H fixtures produced under 2.5 total goals.
- Newells Old Boys have failed to score in three of their last five matches.
- Central Cordoba generally keep matches low scoring at home, with an average of 1.5 total goals in their last three.
- High yellow card count for Newells suggests disruption and potential for fewer clear-cut chances.
Central Cordoba Preview
Central Cordoba approach this encounter on the back of a statement performance—a 0-5 setback to Estudiantes LP notwithstanding, their preceding efforts included a 2-0 coup against Talleres and a hard-earned 1-1 stalemate versus Defensa y Justicia. Strasser’s men have oscillated between compact, disciplined showings and spells of vulnerability, yet their ability to respond under pressure was evident in the narrow win over Deportivo Riestra. The team’s adaptation to adversarial moments, coupled with solid home form, will be key against Newells Old Boys.
Newells Old Boys Preview
The visitors, meanwhile, are fresh from a 0-2 defeat to Acassuso and a morale-boosting—but rare—1-0 win over Gimnasia Mendoza. However, inconsistency and lack of goal production have dogged Kudelka’s squad all season. The defensive shape provided by their recent 5-3-2 has not translated into solidity, as evidenced by the five goals conceded to Lanus earlier this campaign. Offensively, their playmakers—Guch and Mazzantti—offer flashes but lack sustained support. If discipline can be maintained and transitions are executed effectively, they could still pose sporadic threats, yet history suggests a mountain to climb at Estadio Alfredo Terrera.
Newells Old Boys possible starting eleven
- GK: Williams Barlasina
- DF: Armando Méndez, Saúl Salcedo, Martin Luciano, Bruno Cabrera, Nicolás Goitea
- MF: David Sotelo, Luca Regiardo, Facundo Samuel Guch
- FW: Luciano Herrera, Juan Ignacio Ramírez
Our prediction: Who Wins?
As the TipsGG team, we back Central Cordoba as the front-runner, forecasting a disciplined, tactically mature performance that leverages home support and the opposition’s frailties. Our main pick is a Cordoba win, justified by Newells Old Boys’ chronic struggles in both ends of the pitch and their inability to string together clinical attacking moves. According to our AI prediction engine, Central Cordoba carry a 39 percent probability for victory, with Newells at 29 percent and the draw rated at 32 percent. All signs point toward a statement win for the home side with Central Cordoba expected to dominate proceedings in key areas.

Central Cordoba. Source: Official Website
How to watch Central Cordoba vs Newells Old Boys
- When? April 6th, 2026
- Kick-off time: 02:30 CEST
- Where? Estadio Alfredo Terrera, Santiago del Estero
- How to watch: {streaming options}
- Favorite: Central Cordoba
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