- Central Norte Salta sit 31st in Primera Nacional 2026 after 24 games with 24 points, so they need some urgency in the relegation fight.
- Estudiantes are 14th in Primera Nacional 2026 with 35 points from 25 games, so they are comfortably in the middle of the table.
- Central Norte's last 5 games produced 1 win, 2 draws and 2 losses, a mixed run, but they are drawing as often as they are losing of late.
All square
Central Norte and Estudiantes have each won one and drawn one of their last 3 games. Saturday's hosts, Central Norte, are on a 2-game draw streak, having tied 1-1 away against All Boys and then 0-0 at home to Gimnasia y Tiro. That pair of stalemates represent just the faintest pulse of life for Central Norte. They come into this one on the back of a 1-1 away draw with All Boys and a 0-0 home draw with Gimnasia y Tiro, so they have yet to find their rhythm.
Estudiantes, on the other hand, have won 1, drawn 2 and lost 2 of their most recent 5 games, another mixed but perhaps marginally more impressive run considering they beat Chacarita Juniors 2-0 in their most recent game. They have also drawn 2 and not lost any recent away games, so they are difficult to beat on the road, despite lacking a touch of flair.
The preview for this match suggests a cautious contest, with both sides arriving in solid but unspectacular form.
An interesting tactical contrast
Mario Sciacqua has been in charge of Central Norte since 29 April 2026 and has most frequently opted for the 4-4-2 formation. The El Cuervo are not a team that pushes the ball much, they press moderately and like to play vertically through their two advanced men. Alfredo Grelak has been at the helm of Estudiantes since 24 March 2026 and has kept them disciplined, compact and tough to play through, preferring a more compact mid-block and relying on the counterattack.
This should be a chess match, with Central Norte attempting to break lines and Estudiantes looking to pounce on any turnovers. Central Norte have scored just 8 goals in 11 home games in Primera Nacional 2026, so we're unlikely to see an open match and nights like these are often tense and cagey.
Our prediction is that space will be at a premium, and the first goal could be decisive.
Going for the draw
The odds of 2.8 for Central Norte and 2.8 for Estudiantes look about right for this game, but the draw, which is 2.65, is more appealing given the recent head-to-head record. These sides met 4 months ago in Primera Nacional 2026, with Estudiantes winning 1-0 at home, and Central Norte have won 1 of their 3 games against Estudiantes. Central Norte have won 3, drawn 6 and lost 2 of their 11 Primera Nacional 2026 home games, a grind-heavy record that has kept them in touch with the sides above them. Estudiantes have won 4, drawn 4 and lost 4 of their 12 Primera Nacional 2026 away games, a decent record that suggests they will not be intimidated on the trip.
Francisco Borda leads the scoring for Central Norte in Primera Nacional 2026 with 2 goals in 19 appearances, so they will need a moment of brilliance from the defender if they are to nick this one. Facundo Ardiles leads the way for Estudiantes with 6 goals in 24 Primera Nacional 2026 appearances, so the visitors' best hope is for their attacker to break free.
The betting tips point toward under 2.5 goals at 1.37, which looks like the cleaner bet for Saturday's game, as it is likely to be a tight game with one goal, at most, likely to decide the outcome.
Central Norte Salta vs CA Estudiantes Caseros prediction: a low-scoring draw appears the most likely result.
