Primera Nacional reaches its final round with two group leads, a place in the first-promotion final and survival still unresolved. Round 36 will be spread from Saturday 31 October to Monday 2 November. The staggered programme serves broadcasting needs, while matches involving direct sporting interests have been placed in simultaneous time slots to preserve competitive balance.
In Zone A, Ferro starts on 65 points with Godoy Cruz following on 63. At 3pm on Saturday, the Caballito side visits Acassuso while the Mendoza club hosts Almirante Brown. San Telmo–Central Norte and San Miguel–Deportivo Madryn begin at the same time; Morón–Ciudad de Bolívar and Los Andes–Mitre start at 3.30pm, followed by Chaco For Ever–Racing de Córdoba at 5pm.
The group programme ends with Colón–Defensores de Belgrano at 6pm on Sunday and All Boys–Estudiantes at 1pm on Monday. Ferro controls its own route to first place; Godoy Cruz must win and hope the leader drops points. The zone winner will play a single neutral-venue final against the Zone B winner for the first promotion place.
In Zone B, Tristán Suárez leads with 63 points, Atlanta has 61 and Temperley 60. All three play at 3pm on Saturday: Tristán hosts Deportivo Maipú, Atlanta receives Midland and Temperley travels to Güemes. San Martín de San Juan–Gimnasia de Jujuy and Agropecuario–Almagro share that slot, preventing advance knowledge of results from distorting the contest.
Action continues on Sunday with San Martín de Tucumán–Colegiales at 6.30pm and Gimnasia y Tiro–Quilmes at 7pm. Monday is reserved for the survival battle: Chacarita hosts Nueva Chicago at 3pm and Atlético Rafaela welcomes Patronato. Both matches directly involve the three teams still capable of occupying Zone B's second relegation place.
Güemes has already gone down from that group, while Acassuso and San Miguel were relegated in Zone A. Chacarita has 39 points; Nueva Chicago and Patronato have 37. El Funebrero is safe with a draw. Chicago needs a win, although a draw may be enough if Patronato loses. The Paraná club must collect points in Rafaela and monitor events in San Martín.
The final round is therefore more than a list of kick-off times. It will decide the participants in the promotion final, the teams entering the Reduced Tournament in stronger positions and the club completing the relegation list. Simultaneous play protects the most sensitive outcomes; after 35 rounds, ninety minutes separate a campaign with a title opportunity from one facing a longer route or a rebuild below.
