Excursionistas vs Argentino de Merlo - Primera B Metropolitana

When Excursionistas and Argentino de Merlo clash at the home ground on August 25, 2026, the stakes extend well beyond a single result — this is a Primera B Metropolitana fixture that carries real weight for both clubs. He is expected to miss the Community Shield game against Arsenal and the opening Premier League fixture of the season as a result.

Excursionistas head into the contest positioned 1st in the Primera B Metropolitana standings, while Argentino de Merlo arrive sitting 13th. Excursionistas have been picking up results at a respectable clip, WWLWW over their last five with a season win rate of 57.14%. The visitors have been hard to predict on their travels, LLDLD in their last five reflecting a win rate of 28.57%. One side has leaned on a miserly defence, the other on a free-scoring attack, and the meeting of those contrasting strengths promises an intriguing tactical subtext. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player On Sunday, there was the opportunity to attend another thriller as Augsburg went top of the table.

Stylistically, this is a compelling matchup. Excursionistas favour a patient, possession-based approach, whereas Argentino de Merlo are at their most dangerous when allowed to hit quickly on the counter. Tuesday's print edition of ABC, as relayed by Sport Witness, have claimed that Betis turned down a €50m approach from a wealthy non-Premier League club for Antony.

Individual moments of quality could tip the balance. Both sides possess players capable of producing something out of nothing, and a single flash of brilliance may be all that separates them. The wide areas will be a key battleground, with full-backs and wingers on either side capable of swinging the contest one way or the other. But this is still £10m short of what Etihad bosses are demanding for the World Cup winner, having originally stated they wanted at least £60m for the midfielder.

Predictions are tricky when the sides are this evenly matched, and small margins — a moment of quality, a slice of luck — could decide it either way. On balance, Excursionistas look well-placed to claim all three points, and a 2-1 home win would not come as a surprise. The result at the home ground could resonate well beyond matchday in the Primera B Metropolitana picture. And Fonseca does not place too much weight on the decision of Roberto Martinez to omit him from the World Cup squad in favour of his Benfica team-mate Tomas Araujo.