Primera División: matchday 8 preview and kick-off times

Matchday 8 in the Primera División, Argentina's top flight, is ready to spark into life, with one fixture in particular set to produce fireworks: Club Mataderos host Sportivo Castelar, desperate to avoid a fifth straight defeat. Mataderos sit on 7 points and need to turn things around immediately, while Castelar arrive in fourth on 15 points, with a fairly even record in their last few fixtures (two wins, two draws and one defeat). For Mataderos, it is about saving their season; for Castelar, it is about keeping hold of the run that has put them near the top of the table.

But that is not the only fixture with plenty at stake. Sportivo Bahía Blanca are flat on the floor with just 1 point and face Defensores del Norte, who are second on 17 points and in fine form. The Bahía Blanca side have managed just one win in their last five, so they could really do with a break going their way. Elsewhere, Sportivo Pergamino (second-bottom with 4 points) host none other than Club Ituzaingó, the league leaders on 17 points, who have won their last two fixtures.

There is also plenty of balance elsewhere in the round. Club Punta Alta face Atlético Boedo, with both sides sitting in mid-table: Punta Alta are eighth on 10 points, while Boedo are fifth on 12. Defensores de Tigre Norte and Atlético Pacheco should serve up another interesting contest, with the side in third arriving in good form. And if it is an even contest you want, sixth-placed Club Barracas, on 12 points, meet seventh-placed Defensores de Liniers, on 10, in a clash between two teams coming off wins.

At the bottom end of the table, Atlético Parque Patricios (13th with 5 points) take on Atlético Chacarita Sur, who are 10th on 8 points but have caught fire with three wins in their last five. The night ends with Sportivo Nordelta against Defensores de La Reja, another contest in which the sides near the top will be looking to strengthen their position.

Eight matches, eight stories, one virtual pitch where everything kicks off at 21:00. If you want to follow the action live, head to the platform and experience every move. Matchday 8 promises plenty of drama.

The matchday fixtures

• 21:00 · Club Mataderos vs Sportivo Castelar
• 21:00 · Club Punta Alta vs Atlético Boedo
• 21:00 · Defensores de Tigre Norte vs Atlético Pacheco
• 21:00 · Atlético Parque Patricios vs Atlético Chacarita Sur
• 21:00 · Sportivo Bahía Blanca vs Defensores del Norte
• 21:00 · Club Barracas vs Defensores de Liniers
• 21:00 · Sportivo Pergamino vs Club Ituzaingó
• 21:00 · Sportivo Nordelta vs Defensores de La Reja

How they stand in the table

eldt.com.ar

Follow the matchday live →