Episode 274: Boca lose more than a match, and Lanús’ first Libertadores final begins

The two hundred and seventy-fourth episode of Hand Of Pod sees Andrés and Sam discuss a weekend of Superliga action which saw Boca Juniors lose for the first time in the league this season, thanks to probably Racing’s best performance so far – and which brought more bad news for Boca late on with an injury to Darío Benedetto which will probably keep him out until the end of the season. River Plate also lost the weekend, but finally won on Wednesday to end a run of six league games without a victory, while San Lorenzo went second and Independiente and Lanús both started continental ties this week: Independiente in the Copa Sudamericana semi-finals, and Lanús in the Copa Libertadores final. Both lost 1-0, but it’s all still to play for …

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Last week, Mystic Youssef beat Mystic Sam 4-3 in the prediction battle. This week, no-one else volunteered, so Youssef is back, and Sam gets a shot at revenge!

Youssef
Banfield vs Defensa y Justicia
Chacarita vs Huracán
Colón vs Tigre
Belgrano vs Gimnasia
Patronato vs Unión
San Lorenzo vs Argentinos
Racing vs Independiente
River vs Newell’s
Central vs Boca
Arsenal vs Talleres
Vélez vs Olimpo
Temperley vs San Martín

Sam
Banfield vs Def y Justicia
Chacarita vs Huracán
Colón vs Tigre
Belgrano vs Gimnasia
Patronato vs Unión
San Lorenzo vs Argentinos
Racing vs Independiente
River vs Newell’s
Central vs Boca
Arsenal vs Talleres
Vélez vs Olimpo
Temperley vs San Martín

Episode 273: Lessons to learn for Jorge Sampaoli after two uninspiring friendlies

The seventh anniversary episode of Hand Of Pod sees Sam and Andrés get together for a chat about two friendlies which brought more problems to light than reason for optimism for the Argentine national team. A 1-0 win over Russia on Saturday was rather dull, and a 4-2 defeat to Nigeria on Tuesday has set alarm bells ringing well and truly regarding what the best tactics and formation are, and whether certain players ought to still be playing for Argentina at all. We also have a quick look over the Copa Argentina semi-finals, which resulted in a River Plate v Atlético Tucumán final, and discuss the FIFAGate fallout after Alejandro Burzaco’s first two days of testimony in New York.

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This week, Mystic Sam takes on Mystic Youssef in the prediction competition.

Youssef
Argentinos vs Colón
Atl. Tucumán vs Arsenal
Newell’s vs Belgrano
Banfield vs Temperley
Defensa vs Lanús
San Martín vs San Lorenzo
Independiente vs River Plate
Unión vs Chacarita
Tigre vs Estudiantes
Boca vs Racing
Talleres vs Central
Gimnasia vs Patronato
Olimpo vs Godoy Cruz
Huracán vs Vélez

Sam
Argentinos vs Colón
Atl. Tucumán vs Arsenal
Newell’s vs Belgrano
Banfield vs Temperley
Defensa vs Lanús
San Martín vs San Lorenzo
Independiente vs River Plate
Unión vs Chacarita
Tigre vs Estudiantes
Boca vs Racing
Talleres vs Central
Gimnasia vs Patronato
Olimpo vs Godoy Cruz
Huracán vs Vélez

Episode 272: Boca beat River to maintain their 100% start, and national team talk

In the two hundred and seventy-second episode of Hand Of Pod, Sam and Andrés discuss a dark week for River Plate, as elimination at the hands of Lanús in the Copa Libertadores last week was followed by defeat in an entertaining superclásico against Boca Juniors on Sunday. That win meant Boca still have a 100% record and are now seven points clear at the top of the Superliga table, with Unión in second place. As well as league talk, we also look at the main issues Jorge Sampaoli has to deal with as Argentina prepare to play Russia on Saturday and Nigeria on Tuesday in friendlies.

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Episode 271: Lanús qualify for their first Libertadores final, and previewing River v Boca

In episode 271 of Hand Of Pod, Sam and English Dan have an afternoon conversation about two big continental ties: the all-Argentine Copa Libertadores semi-final which saw Lanús come back from 3-0 down on aggregate to beat River Plate 4-3 and advance to the first Libertadores final in the club’s history, and Racing’s Copa Sudamericana exit at the hands of Paraguayan giants Libertad, which it’s fair to say was somewhat less thrilling. Independiente should keep the Argentine flag flying (their Copa Sudamericana quarter-final second leg was going to plan as this episode was uploaded), and Boca Juniors extended their lead in the Superliga, winning as River and Lanús (who both fielded reserve sides) both lost; they’re now six points clear of second-placed San Lorenzo, ahead of this weekend’s visit to River Plate, which we of course preview.

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Last week, Mystic Sam beat Mystic Gav 7-4 in the predict-off. This week, no-one volunteered and Sam forgot to tweet a challenge out, so here are Mystic Sam’s eighth round predictions on their own.

Chacarita v Gimnasia
Godoy Cruz v Huracán
Colón v San Martín
Lanús v Olimpo
San Lorenzo v Banfield
Central v Atl. Tucumán
Racing v Talleres
Temperley v Defensa y Justicia
Estudiantes v Argentinos
Belgrano v Independiente
River v Boca
Arsenal v Tigre
Patronato v Newell’s
Vélez v Unión