Estudiantes L.P. vs Rosario Central: Match Preview, Predictions and Betting Tips
Published on Thursday, 24 September 2026 by Steve
Estudiantes L.P. vs Rosario Central
Argentina Supercopa Internacional (International Super Cup) Prediction & Betting Tips
Match Overview
Estudiantes has announced Fernando Muslera. : r/galatasaray
Argentine football's newest piece of silverware takes centre stage on Saturday evening as Estudiantes de La Plata and Rosario Central lock horns in the Supercopa Internacional final at the Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero. The fixture, officially listed by organisers and broadcasters for Saturday 26 September with a 17:00 local kick-off, brings together the two most in-form cup sides of the 2026 season in a one-off final that promises tension, tactical chess, and very few goals. Leandro Rey Hilfer has been confirmed as the referee, an appointment that suits a match in which discipline and game management will matter as much as creativity.
Estudiantes arrive under Alexander Medina with the confidence of a side that has already beaten this same opponent on the big stage this year — a commanding 3-0 victory over Rosario Central in the Copa Argentina final at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium in Córdoba back on 31 May 2026. That night, Estudiantes were ruthless in transition, scoring twice before half-time and killing the contest late on, and Medina will be tempted to reproduce exactly that blueprint. El Pincha's 2026/27 squad has been carefully reshaped for exactly these occasions: the loan arrival of Tomás Palacios from Inter Milan has added ball-playing quality to the back line, Bautista Kociubinski was signed from Racing Club for a club-record €1.75 million to control midfield, and Fabricio Pérez arrived from Botafogo to add width. Around them, the evergreen Fernando Muslera, José Sosa and Guido Carrillo supply the tournament-hardened spine.
Rosario Central, meanwhile, are a side transformed under Jorge Almirón. Sitting 7th in Liga Profesional Group B with 11 points from seven matches (three wins, two draws, two defeats), Central have built their campaign on defensive structure and moments of genius from Ángel Di María, who at 38 remains the creative heartbeat of the team. Their most recent league outing was a disciplined 1-0 away win at Tigre on 13 September, a performance that showcased everything Almirón's 4-2-3-1 is about: a compact double pivot, aggressive full-backs, and patience in possession. Fans looking at the wider Argentine football landscape this weekend can also check our football predictions for tomorrow and the Racing Club vs Defensa y Justicia preview for the rest of the domestic action, but all eyes in Santiago del Estero will be on this final. Our full match analysis, team news, predicted lineups and betting tips — including our 0-0 correct score prediction — follow below.
Tactical Preview
Enganche, tres dedos y al ángulo: golazo de Di María para Rosario Central ante Racing - TyC Sports
Formation & Key Matchups
Estudiantes L.P. 4-4-2 / 4-2-3-1 hybrid
Medina has oscillated between a 4-4-2 and a 4-2-3-1 this season, but in finals he tends toward pragmatism. Expect Gabriel Neves and Ezequiel Piovi to sit deep as a screening double pivot, protecting a central defensive pairing of Tomás Palacios and Santiago Núñez — a duo that has kept clean sheets in cup football this year. The wide areas will be patrolled by Edwuin Cetré (on loan from Boca Juniors) and Fabricio Pérez, with Guido Carrillo and the returning Adolfo Gaich contesting the striker role. The key tactical battle will be how Estudiantes' full-backs, Gastón Benedetti and Eric Meza, handle Central's wing overloads without abandoning the back four.
Rosario Central 4-2-3-1
Almirón's settled shape has produced the club's most stable defensive structure in years. Franco Ibarra and Vicente Pizarro form a disciplined double pivot, allowing Alan Rodríguez (on loan from Internacional) to shuttle between lines. Di María operates as a free right-sided creator, Jáminton Campaz cuts inside from the left, and Enzo Copetti leads the line with intelligent pressing rather than pure penalty-box presence. Against Estudiantes, Central will be happy to cede possession and strike through Di María's set-piece delivery and Campaz's direct running — a pattern that produced the 1-0 win at Tigre and could easily produce another tight, low-scoring contest here.
Critical Vulnerability
Both teams enter this final with notable absences in the final third. Estudiantes are without Joaquín Correa, Lucas Alario, Tiago Palacios and Santiago Arzamendia through injury — four attackers whose combined creativity and movement cannot be fully replaced — while Rosario Central are missing Julián Fernández and Kevin Gutiérrez. With both coaches prioritising "first, don't lose" in a cup final, the central corridors are likely to be congested, transitions slow, and clear-cut chances at a premium. That tactical reality underpins our prediction of a goalless draw after 90 minutes.
Team News & Squad Status
Estudiantes L.P. 🟥🟩🟩🟥🟨
- Out: Joaquín Correa (injury), Lucas Alario (injury), Tiago Palacios (injury), Santiago Arzamendia (injury).
- Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera remains first choice at 40, with Fabricio Iacovich as deputy.
- Defenders: Tomás Palacios (on loan from Inter Milan until December 2026) partners Santiago Núñez; Leandro González Pírez and Ramiro Funes Mori provide veteran cover.
- Midfield: Bautista Kociubinski — signed from Racing for €1.75m in August — anchors alongside Gabriel Neves and Ezequiel Piovi; José Sosa (40) is the experienced playmaker option.
- Forwards: Edwuin Cetré and Brian Aguirre (on loan from Boca Juniors until December 2026) operate wide; Guido Carrillo and Adolfo Gaich compete to lead the line.
- Coach: Alexander Medina, who masterminded the 3-0 Copa Argentina final win over these opponents in May.
Rosario Central 🟩🟨🟥🟨🟩
- Out: Julián Fernández (injury), Kevin Gutiérrez (injury).
- Goalkeepers: Jeremías Conan Ledesma, on loan from Elche, has been excellent behind the back four.
- Defenders: Emanuel Coronel, Ignacio Ovando, Gastón Ávila and Agustín Sández formed the back four in the 1-0 win at Tigre; Facundo Mallo and Juan Cruz Komar wait in reserve.
- Midfield: Franco Ibarra and Vicente Pizarro as the double pivot, with Alan Rodríguez (on loan from Internacional) and Pol Fernández as central options.
- Forwards: Ángel Di María (38) is the talisman from the right; Jáminton Campaz from the left; Franco Cervi (on loan from NYCFC) and Gaspar Duarte (signed from Necaxa in July) add depth; Enzo Copetti starts up front.
- Coach: Jorge Almirón, whose 4-2-3-1 has produced three clean sheets in the last five league matches.
Predicted Lineups
Estudiantes 1-1 Rosario Central: resultado, resumen y goles
| Estudiantes L.P. 4-2-3-1 | Rosario Central 4-2-3-1 |
|---|---|
| Fernando Muslera (GK) | Jeremías Conan Ledesma (GK) |
| Eric Meza (RB) | Emanuel Coronel (RB) |
| Tomás Palacios (CB) | Ignacio Ovando (CB) |
| Santiago Núñez (CB) | Gastón Ávila (CB) |
| Gastón Benedetti (LB) | Agustín Sández (LB) |
| Gabriel Neves (DM) | Franco Ibarra (DM) |
| Bautista Kociubinski (DM) | Vicente Pizarro (DM) |
| Fabricio Pérez (RW) | Ángel Di María (RAM) |
| José Sosa (AM) | Alan Rodríguez (CAM) |
| Edwuin Cetré (LW) | Jáminton Campaz (LAM) |
| Guido Carrillo (ST) | Enzo Copetti (ST) |
Head-to-Head Record
Campaz, de selección - Rosario Central
This is the 19th competitive meeting between the clubs in the modern era, and the history between them is remarkably balanced — Estudiantes hold a slender edge with six wins to Rosario Central's four, while eight of the previous 18 encounters have finished level. The most recent chapter was written at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes on 31 May 2026, when Estudiantes stormed to a 3-0 Copa Argentina final victory over Central, scoring twice before the interval and adding a third late on in a performance that underlined Medina's tactical superiority on the night.
Significantly, four of the last six league meetings between these sides have produced two goals or fewer, including a 0-0 draw in Rosario in the 2025 Apertura. Cup finals between Argentine teams have followed a similar pattern in recent seasons, with managers overwhelmingly prioritising defensive security over attacking adventure. For readers who regularly back tight, low-scoring Argentinian fixtures, our dedicated draw prediction page and the Flamengo vs Estudiantes preview from earlier in the year offer further insight into how these teams perform in high-pressure knockout matches. Given the stalemate-heavy history, the absences in both attacking departments, and the prize at stake, another drawn battle is the most probable outcome — and that is exactly what we predict after 90 minutes.
Key Players Comparison
Ángel Di María — Rosario Central
At 38, Di María remains Central's difference-maker: his wand of a left foot supplies set-piece threat, his drifting between lines unlocks deep blocks, and his big-game temperament is unmatched in this fixture. Every Estudiantes defensive plan on Saturday begins with containing him — and he has made a career of escaping such attention.
Fernando Muslera — Estudiantes L.P.
The 40-year-old Uruguayan, a World Cup and Copa América veteran, brings over 500 senior appearances of composure to the Estudiantes goal. In a match expected to be decided by fine margins, his shot-stopping and command of the penalty area could be the decisive factor in keeping a clean sheet.
Bautista Kociubinski — Estudiantes L.P.
Recruited from Racing Club for €1.75 million in August, the 25-year-old is the engine of Medina's midfield. His ability to break up play and launch transitions quickly will be essential against Central's patient build-up — this is exactly the stage his signing was made for.
Jáminton Campaz — Rosario Central
The Colombian winger is Central's most explosive one-v-one attacker. With Julián Fernández injured, more creative responsibility falls on Campaz's shoulders, and his direct running at Benedetti could be Central's most reliable route to goal.
The individual battle map is fascinating: Di María against a 40-year-old Muslera is a duel of two legends whose combined trophy cabinets dwarf most clubs; Kociubinski and Ibarra will wage war in the space in front of the back fours; and Carrillo versus Ovando-Ávila is a classic striker-versus-centre-back chess match. If any of these duels produces a moment of quality, it is likely to be the difference — but on balance, each side's strength cancels out the other's, reinforcing our expectation of a 0-0 stalemate. Punters weighing up goal-scorer and markets of that kind can cross-reference our GG/NG (BTTS) predictions hub before finalising any slips.
The Managers
Alexander Medina — Estudiantes L.P.
The Uruguayan has built his reputation on organised, emotionally intelligent teams, and his Estudiantes side are a textbook example: compact without the ball, vertical with it, and clinical in finals — as the 3-0 dismantling of Central in May's Copa Argentina decider proved.
Medina's in-game management is another strength; his substitutions in the Copa Argentina final helped turn control into a rout. Facing an opponent who knows his system well, he may spring a tactical surprise, but do not expect him to abandon the defensive principles that got Estudiantes here.
Jorge Almirón — Rosario Central
Almirón has quietly restored structure and belief to Rosario Central since taking charge, engineering a side that is genuinely difficult to beat: three clean sheets in their last five league matches and a hard-fought 1-0 win at Tigre in mid-September.
His challenge on Saturday is psychological as much as tactical — Central must banish the memory of May's 3-0 final defeat. Expect Almirón to mirror Medina's caution, keep his double pivot intact for as long as possible, and trust Di María to deliver one defining moment if the game stretches.
Betting Predictions & Tips
Odds: 1.65 (European/Decimal)
Everything about this final points to a low-scoring contest: eight draws in 18 previous meetings, four of the last six head-to-heads finishing with two goals or fewer, both teams missing key attackers, and two of Argentina's most defensively minded coaches on the touchlines. Estudiantes' last four matches produced totals of 1, 1, 3 and 2 goals, while Central have kept three clean sheets in their last five. At 1.65, Under 2.5 goals is the anchor bet of this preview. For more angles on this market, visit our Over/Under predictions page.
Odds: 3.00 (European/Decimal)
The draw is criminally under-priced in a fixture where neither side can afford to lose. Central have drawn two of their last five; Estudiantes' cup-final pedigree makes them cautious by default; and the H2H history (44% draws) is one of the highest stalemate rates among Argentina's major pairings. At even a shade above 3.00, the value is clear — see also our specialist full-time prediction and double chance pages for related markets.
Odds: 1.75 (European/Decimal)
With Correa, Alario, Tiago Palacios and Arzamendia out for Estudiantes, and Julián Fernández and Gutiérrez missing for Central, both attacks are running at reduced capacity. Both defences — Muslera behind Palacios-Núñez; Ledesma behind Ovando-Ávila — are in strong form. At least one clean sheet feels far more likely than both teams scoring, and our GG/NG tips page supports the "No" side strongly in fixtures of this profile.
Odds: 7.50 (European/Decimal)
Our headline prediction. The 0-0 scoreline combines every thread of this analysis: cup-final caution, mutual respect, missing attackers, elite goalkeepers, and a referee in Leandro Rey Hilfer who lets tactical battles breathe without descending into chaos. Correct score is a high-variance market, so keep stakes small — full methodology is outlined on our correct score tips hub.
Odds: 2.00 (European/Decimal)
If the match is destined for 0-0, the first half is the most likely goalless segment of all — both managers will spend the opening 45 minutes studying each other, and neither will commit numbers forward early. At 2.00, HT Draw is an attractive speculative addition to an accumulator, and pairs naturally with the draw no bet market for the more cautious bettor. New to decimal pricing? Our guide on how to read betting odds explains exactly how these European odds translate to implied probability.
📊 Final Score Prediction
Match Analysis
We predict a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes. The logic is layered but consistent: Estudiantes are missing four attacking players, Rosario Central are missing two of their own, and both coaches have built their 2026 identities on defensive reliability rather than attacking flair. In the Copa Argentina final between these sides, Estudiantes won 3-0 — but that scoreline flattered them in terms of chances created, and Central have since tightened a defence that now features Ledesma, Ovando and Ávila in excellent form. Expect long spells of midfield attrition, Di María and Sosa trading set-piece attempts, and two benches unwilling to gamble until the final quarter of an hour — by which time, we suspect, the moment for a winner will have passed.
A goalless draw sends the Supercopa Internacional to penalties, which is fitting for a final this evenly matched. Should the game somehow open up, Estudiantes' greater cup-final experience under Medina and Muslera's penalty-saving pedigree would give El Pincha the edge from the spot — but our primary call remains 0-0 at full time. For daily alternatives across world football, browse our bet of the day, banker of the day and hot predictions pages.
Key Insights & Statistics
- 📌 Eight of the last 18 meetings between Estudiantes and Rosario Central have ended in draws — the highest draw rate among any fixture either club has played more than 15 times.
- 📌 Estudiantes beat Rosario Central 3-0 in the Copa Argentina final on 31 May 2026 at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes — their most recent competitive meeting.
- 📌 Rosario Central have kept three clean sheets in their last five league matches under Jorge Almirón, including a 1-0 away win at Tigre on 13 September 2026.
- 📌 Estudiantes are without Joaquín Correa, Lucas Alario, Tiago Palacios and Santiago Arzamendia; Rosario Central are without Julián Fernández and Kevin Gutiérrez.
- 📌 Ángel Di María, 38, remains Rosario Central's creative hub; Fernando Muslera, 40, remains Estudiantes' first-choice goalkeeper — a combined age of 78 between the two most influential players on the pitch.
- 📌 Bautista Kociubinski (€1.75m from Racing) and Fabricio Pérez (from Botafogo) headline Estudiantes' 2026/27 recruitment; Gastón Ávila (Ajax loan) and Franco Cervi (NYCFC loan) are Central's key defensive reinforcements.
- 📌 Leandro Rey Hilfer has been appointed referee for the final at the Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades, Santiago del Estero.
- 📌 Four of the last six league H2H meetings produced under 2.5 goals, including a 0-0 in Rosario during the 2025 Apertura.
Conclusion
The Supercopa Internacional final between Estudiantes de La Plata and Rosario Central is, on paper, one of the most finely balanced cup finals Argentina has produced in years. Estudiantes own the psychological advantage after the 3-0 Copa Argentina demolition in May, a deeper bench, and a manager in Alexander Medina who has already solved this opponent once. Rosario Central own the momentum of recent weeks, the league's form defensive structure, and the one player on either pitch capable of conjuring something from nothing in Ángel Di María.
Those forces pull in opposite directions and, in our judgement, cancel each other out. With both attacks depleted by injury, both midfields built to disrupt rather than create, and both defences in fine form, the most probable destination for this final is 0-0 after 90 minutes and a date with a penalty shoot-out in Santiago del Estero. Our recommended betting portfolio reflects exactly that: Under 2.5 goals as the anchor, the full-time draw at 3.00 as the value play, BTTS "No" at 1.75, the 0-0 correct score at 7.50, and the half-time draw at 2.00 as the speculative option.
Whatever unfolds under the lights of the Madre de Ciudades, expect a tactical masterclass rather than a goal-fest — and remember to keep stakes sensible. For more analysed picks across every major competition, bookmark our sure win predictions, explore our acca tips for building accumulators, track the action in real time on our livescores page, and check out the Independiente del Valle vs Rosario Central preview for context on Central's continental-level pedigree. Enjoy the final — and may your bet slip be as clean as the predicted scoreline.