Prediction: River Plate vs Universitario de Deportes

Prediction: River Plate to win 2-1

Best Odds: 13/2

Bookmaker: etbet

River Plate and Universitario de Deportes will lock horns with each other in the 2025 Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores this week. The Group B game between the Argentine Primera Division club and the Peruvian Primera Division outfit will be held at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires and is scheduled to kick off at 1:30am UK time on Wednesday.

River Plate

River Plate are one of the biggest clubs in South America and are an Argentine powerhouse. They are the four-time champions of South America and are aiming to win their first Copa Libertadores title since 2018.

Marcelo Gallardo’s side are having a wonderful 2025 Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores campaign so far. River have won Group B already and have picked up 11 points from five matches. Los Millonarios have not lost a single game in the group stage so far.

River will head into the Copa Libertadores game against Universitario on the back of a defeat to Platense in the Argentine Primera Division playoffs on Wednesday. It came after a 6-2 victory over Independiente del Valle in the CONMEBOL Libertadores.

Team News:

River Plate are likely to line up in a 4-3-3 formation. Armani will be in goal for the home team. Bustos, Pezzella, Martinez Quarta and Acuna will be the four defenders. Fernandez, Perez and Lanzini will be the three midfielders. Mastantuono, Driussi and Colidio will be the three forwards.

Universitario de Deportes

Universitario de Deportes are one of the biggest clubs in Peru and the most successful in the country. Los Merengues have won the domestic league title in Peru 28 times and have never been relegated from the top tier.

Jorge Fossati’s side are doing well in the Copa Libertadores at the moment. Universitario are second in Group B with seven points from five games, two points ahead of Independiente del Valle and in firm control of their destiny in of progressing to the Round of 16.

Universitario will head into the CONMEBOL Libertadores game against River Plate this week on the back of a 2-0 victory over Sporting Cristal at home in the Peruvian Liga 1. It followed a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Juan Pablo II on the road in the league, which came after a 1-0 win against Barcelona SC at home in the CONMEBOL Libertadores.

Team News:

Universitario de Deportes are likely to line up in a 5-3-2 formation against River Plate. Britos will be in goal for the visiting team. Polo, Corzo, Riveros, Di Benedetto and Inga will be the five defenders. Concha, Urena and Carabali will be the three midfielders. Valera and Flores will be the two centre-forwards.

Key Factors to Consider

• River Plate have won 5 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
• River Plate have won 3 of their last 5 Copa Libertadores matches.
• River Plate have scored 12 goals and conceded 6 goals in 5 Copa Libertadores matches this season.
• Universitario de Deportes have won 2 of their last 6 games in all competitions.
• Universitario de Deportes have lost 2 of their last 6 games in all competitions.

Conclusion

Both River Plate and Universitario de Deportes are good teams, and the match between these two sides promises to be an exciting affair. Being at home will give River an advantage, and it is very likely that the Argentine giants will pick up all three points from the encounter.

Prediction: River Plate to win 2-1

Best Odds: 13/2

Bookmaker: etbet