Tonight, Vélez will face Boca in a match corresponding to the fourth date of the Apertura tournament, which could define the new leader of Zone A. The match will start at 22:15. Vélez arrives at this encounter as one of the contenders for Zone A with seven points, thanks to their victories over Instituto and Talleres de Córdoba, as well as the draw against Independiente. Boca, on the other hand, beat Deportivo Riestra and Newell's at home, but the only time this year they left 'La Bombonera', they lost 2-1 to Estudiantes in La Plata. According to the Argentine News Agency, in the last 10 encounters, a slight dominance in favor of Boca has been observed, who won four of those clashes (7-1 in the 2021 League Cup, 1-0 in the 2022 Professional League, 2-1 in the 2023 Professional League and 1-0 in the 2024 Professional League). Additionally, they advanced on penalties in the quarterfinals of the 2019 Superliga Cup, after a 0-0 draw in 180 minutes. That series was shrouded in controversy between Vélez fans and Mauro Zárate, who shouted furiously at them the goal after scoring from the penalty spot. Previously, he had been insulted without restraint during the first leg at the José Amalfitani stadium. Vélez's only victories were 2-0 in the 2021 Professional League and 4-3 in the exciting 2024 Copa Argentina semifinals.
