Estudiantes and Platense Meet in Clausura Clash With Points Urgency and a Copa Argentina Preview

Few points, plenty of pressure, and a matchup that could shift the mood for either side. That's what's on tap Saturday at Estadio UNO when Estudiantes de La Plata host Platense in matchday nine of the 2026 Clausura Tournament. Kickoff is set for 2:45 p.m. (Argentina, Uruguay, Chile) and 12:45 p.m. (Colombia, Peru, Ecuador), with coverage on ESPN Premium.

Why does this one deserve attention? Because both the "Pincha" and the "Calamar" are sitting well outside the playoff spots in Group A, and neither can afford to drop points. On top of that, both teams are coming off tough blows in the Copa Libertadores and need to get back to winning ways on the domestic front. As if that weren't enough, the two sides will meet again soon in the Copa Argentina quarterfinals, so this first round doubles as a preview of what's to come.

Estudiantes, with Alexander Medina in charge, arrive banged up. They drew 1-1 with Corinthians in the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals and fell 1-0 on the road to Velez in the domestic league. They've won just one of their last four matches and have only seven points through eight matchdays, a number that demands an immediate response if they don't want to fall too far behind.

On the other side will be Martin Palermo, who knows this house well since he was one of Estudiantes' biggest stars as a player, and now returns to La Plata as the opposing coach. His Platense side lost 2-0 to Fluminense in Brazil in the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals and arrives looking to turn the page away from Vicente Lopez. With nine points in the Clausura, the "Calamar" need a win to keep pace in the table.

Names to Watch

For Estudiantes, the focus is on Guido Carrillo, Joaquin Correa, Ezequiel Piovi, and Joaquin Tobio Burgos, key pieces Medina needs firing if he wants to unlock a team that hasn't found its rhythm. For Platense, Palermo is counting on Franco Zapiola, Gonzalo Lencina, Ignacio Vazquez, and Bruno Sepulveda to stand up to a rival playing at home.

The most recent meeting between the two favors Platense: on May 2 of this year, Estudiantes won 2-0 on the road in Vicente Lopez, with goals from Alexis Castro and Lucas Alario. Now the venue changes, home advantage flips, and the need for points weighs equally on both sides.