The third round of the Apertura 2026 in Argentina’s Liga Profesional de Fútbol opens with an intriguing clash between San Lorenzo and Central Córdoba de Santiago del Estero. The match is scheduled for Saturday at 17:30 local time at the Estadio Pedro Bidegain. Both teams arrive with contrasting sensations after the first two rounds, and this encounter could set the tone for their early-season ambitions. San Lorenzo will look to build on their recent away victory, while Central Córdoba aim to end their goal drought and secure their first win of the campaign.

San Lorenzo’s Recent Form and Key Stats

San Lorenzo started their Apertura 2026 campaign with a 3-2 home defeat against Lanús but quickly bounced back with a 1-0 away win over Gimnasia y Esgrima Mendoza on January 27. That result ended a six-match winless streak across all competitions and restored some confidence in the squad. In the current league standings, San Lorenzo sit in 5th place with one win and one loss, averaging 1.5 goals scored and 1.5 conceded per game.

Recent trends show that their matches tend to be tight and low-scoring. In fact, Under 3.5 goals have been recorded in 32 of their last 33 matches, and in 29 of their last 30 league fixtures. At home, the “Ciclón” have proven difficult to beat early on, avoiding defeat at half time in 19 of their last 21 home games. However, they have occasionally struggled to find the net, with Under 0.5 goals scored in 3 of their last 11 home matches. These numbers suggest a cautious approach, especially when playing in front of their fans.

• League position: 5th


• Last 5 matches: 1 win, 2 draws, 2 defeats


• Average goals scored: 1.0 | Average conceded: 1.2


• Under 3.5 goals in 32 of last 33 matches


• Unbeaten at half time in 19 of last 21 home games

After their recent win, San Lorenzo will aim to reestablish their defensive solidity at the Bidegain, a key factor that characterized their performances in 2025. A victory here would not only consolidate their position near the top but also confirm that the team has overcome the inconsistency that marked the end of last season.

Central Córdoba SdE’s Recent Form and Key Stats

Central Córdoba de Santiago del Estero have endured a slow start to the Apertura 2026. They opened with a goalless draw against Atlético Tucumán on January 28 and then suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat to Gimnasia de Mendoza. The main concern for the “Ferroviario” is their lack of goals, as they have yet to score in the current campaign. Despite this, their defensive record remains respectable, conceding only 0.5 goals per match on average.

Interestingly, their away form has been relatively solid in recent months. In their last five away fixtures, they have recorded one win and four draws, and notably, they have not conceded in their last four away matches. This defensive resilience could be crucial as they face a San Lorenzo side that often struggles to score multiple goals at home. Moreover, Under 3.5 goals have been recorded in 37 of their last 40 matches, reinforcing the expectation of a low-scoring contest.

• League position: 13th


• Last 5 matches: 1 win, 2 draws, 2 defeats


• Average goals scored: 0.6 | Average conceded: 0.8


• Under 1.5 goals at half time in last 13 league matches


• Under 0.5 goals in last 2 away league matches

Central Córdoba’s main challenge will be to rediscover their attacking efficiency. Their recent defensive consistency away from home offers some optimism, but unless they can find a breakthrough in front of goal, their chances of taking all three points remain limited. Still, their ability to frustrate opponents and keep matches tight could make them a tricky opponent for San Lorenzo.

San Lorenzo vs Central Córdoba SdE Analysis and Prediction

Historically, encounters between these two sides have been balanced, with San Lorenzo holding a slight edge in recent meetings (2 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat). The last head-to-head ended 2-1 in November 2025, but given the current form of both teams, a repeat of that scoreline seems unlikely. Both sides have shown a tendency toward low-scoring games, and their early-season numbers reinforce that pattern.

San Lorenzo’s home advantage and slightly better attacking record make them marginal favorites, but Central Córdoba’s defensive discipline could keep the match tight. With both teams struggling to score freely and boasting strong defensive stats, a cautious and tactical battle is expected at the Bidegain.

BetMines Prediction: The data points toward a low-scoring affair. The most likely outcome is Under 2.5 goals with a 69% probability, while the Both Teams To Score – No option also appears strong at 61%. Given the trends, a narrow home win or a goalless draw could be on the cards, but the safest prediction remains focused on limited goal action.

San Lorenzo vs Central Córdoba SdE prediction from BetMines: Under 2.5 goals with 69% probability.