Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
River Plate faces Monterrey in the second round of the FIFA Club World Cup. The match is set for the night of Sunday, June 22, at 3:00 AM Central European Time. I’m opting for a bet on goals in this clash.
River Plate vs Monterrey: Match preview
River Plate kicked off their Club World Cup campaign against Japan’s Urawa. The Argentinians entered as favorites and fully justified that status on the pitch. They dispatched Urawa 3-1 with little trouble and pocketed three crucial points in the opener. Up next are battles against Monterrey and Inter. That’s why this win was so valuable, especially since their direct rivals played out a draw.
Monterrey, meanwhile, opened the group stage against Inter. Sergio Ramos broke the deadlock in the 25th minute, but the Mexicans conceded an equalizer from Martínez before halftime. No more goals followed, and the match ended in a draw. This leaves Monterrey and Inter with one point each—good news for River Plate, as neither rival managed to win.
Victory in this match could bring one of the teams a step closer to the playoffs. If River wins, they’ll secure qualification from the group. Should Monterrey triumph, a draw in the final round might be enough for them to advance. And with Urawa as their last opponent, a win over River would dramatically boost Monterrey’s playoff hopes.
Match facts and head-to-head stats
- River Plate have lost just one of their last 18 matches.
- Monterrey have won two of their last four games.
- On average, River Plate score 1.39 goals per match, Monterrey – 1.8.
- River Plate and Monterrey have met only twice: one match ended in a draw, the other was won by River.
Probable lineups
- River Plate: Armani — Acuña, Martínez Quarta, Pezzella, Bustos — Castaño, Pérez, Fernández — Colidio, Mastantuono, Driussi
- Monterrey: Andrada — Arteaga, Guzmán, Medina — Oliver Torres, Rodríguez, Ambriz, Canales, Deossa — Berterame, Corona
Prediction
This is a crucial match for both sides, and River Plate will undoubtedly go all out for the win. Both teams have shown quality football in their opening games, and I expect an entertaining encounter. My pick: both teams to score – odds 1.8.
