- Gimnasia Mendoza have won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five games in all competitions.
- Defensa y Justicia have won one and lost four of their last five league games.
Defensa y Justicia in a downward spiral
Gimnasia Mendoza sit 23rd in Liga Profesional - Apertura 2026 after collecting 16 points from 15 games, while Defensa y Justicia are a little better off in 19th with 19 points from the same number of matches.
Dario Franco has steadied the ship a little since taking charge in March 2026 and trying to instill his defensive structures on a team that earned promotion to Argentina’s top flight for the first time in their long history.
The home side are a disciplined unit that sets up in a narrow formation, with a back four, two defensive midfielders and a number 10 in a congested central area. They play in a pragmatic way and prefer to be solid at the back and hit teams on the counter-attack.
The hosts have been slightly more solid at Estadio Víctor Antonio Leyes Pecorari with three wins, one draw and three defeats from seven home games in the league. Their recent form of two wins, one draw and two defeats suggests they are heading in the right direction and will likely be able to eke out a low-scoring victory in Monday’s matchup. This Gimnasia Mendoza vs Defensa y Justicia prediction could indicate a tight affair based on recent performances.
Defensa’s possession-based system has been struggling
Mariano Soso has brought a different identity to Defensa y Justicia, bringing a more structured, possession-based style of play since his appointment in June 2025. The visitors like to dominate the ball and play wide with their full backs/wing-backs, but their pressing game has been unable to stop the bleeding of late.
The Gimnasia Mendoza vs Defensa y Justicia prediction becomes particularly interesting given that the visitors have failed to win or draw in their last two away games, and recent defeats include a 0-4 thrashing at home by Boca Juniors and a 3-1 defeat to CA Independiente Avellaneda in Avellaneda, both of which extended their current losing streak to four games.
They were also beaten 1-2 at home by Talleres de Cordoba, a matchup in which they had more of the ball, but were unable to convert their chances.
There is something to be said for Gimnasia Mendoza at 2.32 compared to Defensa y Justicia at 3.45 in the moneyline betting as the home team look to secure their place in the top-flight for another season. The Gimnasia Mendoza vs Defensa y Justicia betting tips highlight that Defensa have been better on their travels, winning three, drawing two and losing two in Liga Profesional - Apertura 2026, but the odds-on price for Under 2.5 goals at 1.33 is very good value for this contest.
Key men
Agustin Modica has been the attacking spark for Gimnasia Mendoza, netting four times in 12 league games this term, including a pair in his last five. Facundo Lencioni, who has five assists in 15 league matches, is the playmaker who creates the chances and has set up three of the side’s last five goals.
Aaron Molinas is Defensa y Justicia’s greatest threat with three goals in 14 appearances, and he has scored half of the team’s last four goals, and he will be eager to extend that run in Mendoza. For a comprehensive look at the players, our Gimnasia Mendoza vs Defensa y Justicia prediction also sheds light on their potential impact on the match.
