The Xeneize will be presented at the Viaduct for the league clash, with their eyes on the upcoming showdown with Colo Colo next Tuesday that could decide the fate of their Copa Libertadores campaign.
Boca has begun to set its course in the Primera División after their Superclásico setback. While optimism in La Boca has faded about winning the title, the immediate objective remains clear: collect as many league points as possible to finish as high as possible in the standings.
Following a 1-0 victory over Tigre last weekend, Boca extended their winning streak to three matches. River Plate, meanwhile, has slipped five points in their last nine, tightening the race for a top position. In the next step, Boca travels to Sarandí to face Arsenal at the Viaduct this Thursday, June 1, at 9:30 p.m., aiming for another positive result to keep momentum going.
BOCA JUNIORS VS. ARSENAL
For the trip to Sarandí, Jorge Almirón will be without Pol Fernández, who suffered a minor tear in his right quadriceps against Tigre and will be sidelined for at least two weeks. Marcos Rojo will also miss this match, as he will see minutes with the Reserve side against Arsenal in the midweek before rejoining the first team on a full-time basis soon after.
In addition, Sebastián Villa faces a potential pivotal moment. He could be playing his final game in blue and gold, as a verdict in his gender violence case against his former partner is expected the morning after the Avellaneda meeting. A guilty finding could trigger the club’s disciplinary protocol and lead to a decisive move against the Colombian forward.
ARREGLO DEL ONCE: BOCA VS. ARSENAL
That match against Federico Vilar’s Arsenal comes as Boca prepares for Colo Colo next Tuesday, a test that could secure progress into the Copa Libertadores round of 16. To safeguard readiness for that major fixture, the coach is likely to rotate deeply, fielding a largely different lineup from the one that faced Athletic Club on Sunday.
Among those who have been regular starters, the only two who appear to have secured their places are Sergio Romero and Martín Payero, who were rested this past weekend. The plan suggests Darío Benedetto will lead the attack against the Cacique, with a refreshed supporting cast behind him.
Other players who started recently include Agustín Sández, Nicolás Valentini, Esteban Rolón, and Norberto Briasco. Once the coach confirms the lineup, more certainties will emerge, but the intention remains clear: balance rest with competitive intensity ahead of a crucial midweek and a pivotal continental fixture.