The tenth round of the Argentine Apertura brings another Córdoba derby, this time between Estudiantes de Río Cuarto and Belgrano. Although not as heated as the Talleres–Instituto clash, this encounter still carries local pride and important points for both sides. The match will take place on Thursday evening, with Estudiantes hosting at their home ground and aiming to secure their second win of the tournament. For the hosts, the challenge remains adapting to the top-flight pace after years in lower divisions, while Belgrano arrive with solid momentum despite a recent setback.

Estudiantes de Río Cuarto: Struggling to Find Consistency

Estudiantes de Río Cuarto have endured a difficult start to the season. With just one victory, one draw, and six defeats in the Liga Profesional de Fútbol, they sit 14th in Zone B. Their average of 0.4 goals scored per match and 1.5 conceded highlights the imbalance between attack and defense. The team’s last outing ended in a 1-0 loss to Sarmiento, a result that extended their poor run of form to four defeats in the last five matches.

Despite these struggles, Estudiantes have shown some resilience at home. They have not lost at half time in 18 of their last 20 home games, and they often keep matches tight, with Under 2.5 goals recorded in 18 of their last 20 home fixtures. Their defensive approach has also led to low-scoring first halves, with Under 1.5 goals at half time in 18 of their last 20 home matches. However, their inability to convert chances remains a major concern, as they average less than one goal per game this season.

• Last 5 matches: 1 win, 0 draws, 4 defeats


• Average goals scored: 0.4 | Average conceded: 1.6


• Under 3.5 goals in 29 of their last 30 matches


• Haven’t lost at half time in 18 of their last 20 home games

Belgrano: Aiming to Bounce Back

Belgrano suffered their first defeat of the 2026 campaign in the previous round, losing 3-1 away to Huracán. Nevertheless, their overall record remains impressive, with four wins, three draws, and just one loss. Sitting third in Zone B, the “Pirata” have been one of the most consistent sides in the competition, averaging 1.3 goals scored and 0.9 conceded per match. Their recent form shows three wins, one draw, and one defeat in the last five outings, underlining their stability and attacking efficiency.

Belgrano’s matches tend to be tight affairs as well. In 25 of their last 27 league games, Under 3.5 goals have been recorded, while Under 1.5 goals at half time occurred in 22 of the last 24. This pattern suggests a disciplined defensive structure and a preference for controlling the tempo rather than engaging in open, high-scoring contests. Away from home, they have also been involved in low-scoring matches, with Under 0.5 goals in six of their last 17 away fixtures.

• Last 5 matches: 3 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat


• Average goals scored: 1.4 | Average conceded: 1.0


• Under 3.5 goals in 25 of their last 27 league matches


• Under 1.5 goals at half time in 22 of their last 24 matches

Head-to-Head and Tactical Overview

Historically, Estudiantes de Río Cuarto have struggled against Belgrano. In their last four meetings, Estudiantes have failed to win, recording three draws and one defeat, with an average of just 0.5 goals scored per game. The most recent encounter ended 0-0 in June 2022, reflecting the cautious nature of this fixture. Both teams tend to prioritize defensive solidity, which often results in low-scoring outcomes.

Given the statistical trends, this match is likely to follow a similar pattern. Estudiantes will rely on their home advantage and defensive organization to contain Belgrano’s attack, while the visitors will look to exploit counterattacking opportunities. The hosts’ main challenge will be breaking down a compact Belgrano defense that rarely concedes more than once per game. On the other hand, Belgrano’s consistency and superior form make them slight favorites to take something from this encounter.

• Head-to-head record: Estudiantes 0 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss


• Average goals per match: 1.3 total (0.5 scored by Estudiantes, 0.8 by Belgrano)


• Last meeting: 0-0 (June 19, 2022)

Estudiantes de Río Cuarto vs Belgrano Prediction

All indicators point toward a balanced and low-scoring contest. Both teams have shown a strong tendency for matches with fewer than three goals, and their recent head-to-head history supports this trend. Estudiantes’ home record suggests they can keep things tight early on, but Belgrano’s superior form and attacking edge could make the difference as the game progresses.

BetMines prediction: Under 2.5 goals with a 66% probability.