Deportivo La Guaira vs Independiente Rivadavia: prediction, H2H and probable lineups — 22.05.2026
Deportivo La Guaira
One of the matchups of the fifth round of the Copa Libertadores group stage will take place on Friday at the UCV Olympic Stadium in Caracas, where Venezuelan side Deportivo La Guaira will host Argentina's Independiente Rivadavia. The home team will be looking to pull off an upset, but the visitors appear to be a more cohesive unit and enter the match as clear favorites.
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Match preview
Deportivo La Guaira are yet to taste victory in the group stage: after four rounds, the Venezuelan side has three points from three draws and one defeat. The team fights hard for results, but rarely manages to turn their spells of pressure into sustained dominance over their opponents.
Their recent matches perfectly illustrate La Guaira's character: five draws in a row, including 1-1 against Bolivar, 1-1 with Portuguesa, 1-1 with Academia Puerto Cabello and a 0-0 stalemate with UCV. The first meeting with Independiente Rivadavia ended in a heavy 1-4 defeat, meaning the hosts now need not just improvement, but near-flawless execution.
Independiente Rivadavia lead the group with authority: 10 points from four matches, three wins and a draw with a +5 goal differential. The Argentines have already secured a playoff berth and can now play from a position of strength, controlling their fate in the group.
The visitors' recent run has been less than perfect in terms of results, but steady in performance: after thrashing La Guaira 4-1, they drew 1-1 with Aldosivi, 1-1 with Fluminense, and lost 1-2 to Union Santa Fe. Their main attacking threat is Arce, who has already netted five times in the tournament, while Villa remains a key figure for build-up play and delivering the final ball.
Probable lineups
- Deportivo La Guaira: Caicedo, Gutierrez, Gianoli, Ortiz, Martinez, Ibarra, Correa, Londono, Faya, Castellanos, Mesa
- Independiente Rivadavia: Bolcato, Gomez, Studer, Villalba, Bonifacio, Bobadilla, Bottari, Villa, Sartori, Fernandez, Arce
Match facts and head-to-head
- Deportivo La Guaira have drawn their last five matches in all competitions.
- Independiente Rivadavia are unbeaten in the Libertadores group stage, collecting 10 out of a possible 12 points.
- The first head-to-head ended in a commanding 4-1 victory for Independiente Rivadavia.
Prediction
La Guaira know how to drag their opponents into a scrappy contest, but against the group leaders, caution alone might not be enough. The Venezuelans rarely win key battles in the final third and are yet to show the attacking sharpness needed to beat a more mature side. Independiente Rivadavia are stronger structurally, more assured in transitions, and have already proven their superiority in the first meeting. The optimal bet is a win for Independiente Rivadavia.
