In the fifteenth episode of Hand Of Pod Sam, Dan, Dan and Seba discuss what we can only term a startling revelation from Racing full back Iván Pillud. We round up all the salient points from the Torneo Clausura in the weekend just gone, discuss Ariel Ortega’s latest indiscipline (and wonder how much longer he’s got left of his playing career), and look forward to the decisive matches for Argentine clubs in the Copa Libertadores. And of course, we couldn’t possibly overlook the fact that this weekend one of the country’s biggest and fiercest derbies will be fought out down in Avellaneda, as Racing Club host Independiente. All this and more on your weekly dose of HOP.
Mystic Dan’s predictions are written down for the record below the ‘Continue reading’ line, as usual, and don’t forget you can subscribe to us on iTunes if that’s what floats your boat.
Mystic Dan’s tenth round predictions:
San Lorenzo vs Lanús
Quilmes-Newell’s
All Boys vs Huracán
Godoy Cruz vs Argentinos
Olimpo vs Estudiantes
Boca vs Tigre
Colón vs Vélez
Gimnasia vs River
Banfield vs Arsenal
Racing vs Independiente
As per usual, teams in bold are Dan’s predictions for the winners.
Hand Of Pod 
Hi guys
I have recently started listening to your podcast and I very much enjoy listening to your musings about Argentine Football. I grew in Buenos Aires, as an Independiente fan Seba will be disappointed I’m sure, but I’ve now lived in the UK for about 20 years
It’s interesting that you all thought that Racing were a superior side (agreed) but Independiente will have the edge this weekend, even Racing are at home.. Personally, I think Racing have to be favourites even tho my heart says no! Russo has done a v good job on Racing, for once starting to play some nice stuff and get away from the promocion, I don’t think I remember them having a good side to watch, even at other times when they were successful. Independiente on the other hand, seem to have papered over their obvious cracks last term with the Sudamericana, and have brought in players like Castillo who basically got kicked out of Gallos Blancos de Queretaro in Mexico for being a pisshead, as I understand it (may be just rumours, but he’s not been great, even in his 2nd stint at Godoy he didn’t do too well, not snce 2008 ish has he been in any consistent form).
Anyway, I was interested to find out why Seba and you guys think the Nacional B get’ such little coverage. For Eg, Fede Gonzalez is a young fwd on loan from Independiente doing v well at Atletico Rafaela, who are looking like going up. Seems crazy decision to bring an old “past it” player like Castillo in anyway, with Parra, Silvera, Nunez, Defederico as well as letting the pacey Martin Gomez go to Tigre on loan. Doesn’t make a massive amount of sense to me…
Anyway, keep up the good work guys and I look forward to your podcast next week, hopefully, discussing Racing’s humiliating defeat to a “majestic” Independiente 😉