- Head-to-head: Gimnasia y Tiro have won two of the last three meetings, beating Patronato 2-1 away four months ago.
- Manager impact: The home team have been more positive since Juan Manuel Azconzábal took charge on 7 April 2026.
- Patronato form: Patronato's form has been poor overall with no wins, four draws and one defeat in their last five outings.
Gimnasia have the momentum in Salta
Head-to-head and form
The head-to-head record and the form of these two sides since their last meeting favour Gimnasia y Tiro for Sunday's clash in Salta. Gimnasia y Tiro have won two of the past three meetings, including a 2-1 away win over Patronato four months ago, and have been much more positive in their approach since Juan Manuel Azconzábal's appointment as head coach on 7 April 2026.
Tactics and key player
Leaning more towards a 4-3-3 formation, Gimnasia's 4-3-3 system has become more dynamic. Azconzábal has given his side more control in midfield, allowing Walter Montoya to do his thing and creating more width to overload the opponents in a way that suits Lautaro Gordillo's skills. As the leading scorer in Primera Nacional 2026, with seven goals in 15 appearances, the diminutive attacking midfielder is a constant threat. Patronato will have to match-up on him and the other Gimnasia wide player to prevent the home side from getting into the half-spaces, which will be crucial in this matchup.
Patronato are a practical, pragmatic possession team
Marcelo Candia's appointment as Patronato head coach on 17 April 2026 has seen his side play a more balanced 4-4-2 system. The draw with Ferrocarril Midland (1-1) was a positive outcome, but the 0-1 loss to San Martín de Tucumán at home last time out has stopped their momentum.
Hernán Rivero has been a solid performer for Patronato in the second division, but he has only two goals in 15 Primera Nacional 2026 appearances. The team are not great at converting possession into penetration, while their lack of quality in the final third has been a problem. Patronato's away form in this league has been even worse than their home form with just one win, five draws and three defeats, and only three away goals scored.
Gimnasia can grind out a win
However, the odds, which make the hosts the slight favorites at 2.18, are probably not correct as Patronato are clearly the underdogs based on recent form.
The draw at 2.77 seems far too short for a game where the visitors have nothing to play for and the under 2.5 goals bet at 1.36 also appeals as the likely outcome. Both teams to score – No at 1.52 looks the pick, however, because Gimnasia will look to grind out a victory in a cagey match that will probably come down to who controls the half-spaces.
- Gimnasia y Tiro are 22nd in the table with 24 points from 19 matches while Patronato are 27th with 21 points from the same number of games.
- Gimnasia have two wins, two draws and a defeat in their last five games, so the trend is slightly upward since that 2-1 away win over Colegiales.
- A 1-0 defeat to Quilmes was followed by a 0-0 draw against Deportivo Maipú and 2-1 away victory at Colegiales.
