River go top but still plenty to play for in Argentina
Tuesday 03 June 2008 14:30
River Plate have extended their lead over Estudiantes after a comfortable home win against mid-table Colon, despite playing most of the game with 10 men.
River are now two points clear with two more games to play. However, with Estudiantes on 35 points, Boca on 33, San Lorenzo on 31 and Independiente on 29, there is still plenty of time for a few surprises.
But Simeone, in his first season in charge, needs to redeem what has been an overall disappointing season for the Millionarios, with violence off the pitch and lacklustre performers on the field.
Looking at the remaining games, the favourites have to be River but Estudiantes also have relatively easy games. Both teams play Olimpo, a team even Argentine fans struggle to know anything about. Then River take on Banfield currently in 10th position, while Estudiantes play Colon who are 14th.
Alexis Sanchez celebrates as River go top of the pile
San Lorenzo's boardroom troubles, that will probably see the end of Ramon Diaz's one season tenure, has affected them on the pitch too with two defeats in their last four games.
At the other end of the table, Racing remain bottom. However the Argentine league relegation system is structured on an average score over the last few years.
Racing's demotion is not a given, but they are likely to have to take on other strugglers in a play off, the loser of which will be relegated. It was the blue and whites, however, who came closest to winning a poor 0-0 Clasico against Independiente on Saturday.
Meanwhile the national team have just arrived in San Diego for a couple of friendlies against Mexico and a team made up of local players, before playing their International Clasico Brazil in the World Cup qualifiers.
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