3. Banfield (6) vs Boca Juniors (15)

Banfield's pride against Boca's inconsistency

TEAM NEWS

Banfield Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez has reached five bookings and is banned for one game.

Boca Juniors Paraguayan defender Claudio Morel Rodriguez will miss this match after being named to Paraguay's World Cup provisional squad.

Playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme has been ruled out with a torn meniscus.

Left back Juan Krupoviesa is banned for this match after his ejection.

Forward Pablo Mouche is available after serving his suspension.

Banfield

Suspended: Rodriguez (one match)

Doubtful: none

Injured/Unavailable: Bustos (Achilles' heel), Devaca (knee)

Boca Juniors

Suspended: Krupoviesa (one match)

Doubtful: none

Injured/Unavailable: Battaglia (osteochondritis), Mendez (hamstring), Monzon (hamstring), Riquelme (meniscus), Morel Rodriguez (national team)

MATCH PREVIEW

Banfield got eliminated from the Libertadores Cup, but their supporters can hold their head high. At Boca Juniors, the end of the season couldn't come any sooner.

Banfield were doomed by the goal they conceded at home and the two they conceded in Porto Alegre. "My guys have come very far; I couldn't ask for more", said manager Julio Cesar Falcioni. The fans are so proud of their team that they'll build a square, they'll name it after the club, and will have the title-winning squad members place their feet in cement over there. The absence of James Rodriguez in the last match will be felt by the team: the midfielder's playmaking skills are very important for them.

Boca Juniors have had their ups and downs in the last few weeks, losing 1-2 to Huran at home after two consecutive wins. Their overall season has been poor. The team never found their form and had two interim managers, Abel Alves and Roberto Pompei. As the board tries to choose their next manager (Argentinos' Claudio Borghi? Racing's Miguel Angel Russo?), they lose Riquelme to injury. The star won't play against Banfield. Was the Huracan game the last one for Riquelme at Boca? "I'm a Boca fan and they would be my first choice, but the board is forcing me to listen to other offers because they haven't contacted my agent", said the playmaker. The board also has to decide what to do with striker Martin Palermo.

Banfield come from a win over Tigre. But Boca Juniors should be able to close the season with an away win.

HEAD TO HEAD

They've met 84 times, with 50 wins for Boca, 17 for Banfield and 17 draws.

In the last five years, Banfield only have one win over Boca: it was last year (3-2 on the road). At Boca, they've won just two times since 2001.