Raphael Durand
Dailysports's expert
The opening round of the FIFA Club World Cup group stage sees River Plate take on Urawa Red Diamonds this Tuesday at Lumen Field in Seattle. Here’s my pick for the outcome of this clash, offering a solid value bet.
Match preview
River Plate arrives in the US with high ambitions, backed by consistent results and a formidable international reputation. Under Marcelo Gallardo, the team expertly balances technical attacking football with tactical discipline reminiscent of the European game. Their recent form—three wins in their last five matches—proves the “Millionaires” are 100% ready for the tournament.
River’s main strength lies in their attacking trio, who are in top form and capable of breaking down even the most organized defenses. However, at this level, defensive solidity is crucial—and here, the Argentinians have shown vulnerability, conceding in eight of their last 10 games.
Urawa Red Diamonds enter the pitch as underestimated yet dangerous opponents. The Japanese side has repeatedly proven its mettle in the AFC Champions League and won’t shy away from causing an upset against a giant. Their recent 2-1 victory over Yokohama only adds to their confidence.
Coach Maciej Skorża has instilled a flexible, pressing style with rapid ball movement into attack, which could trouble River, especially on the counter. Importantly, Urawa boasts a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging young talents, making their play unpredictable.
Probable lineups
- River Plate: Armani, Bustos, Martínez Quarta, Pezzella, Acuña, Fernández, Pérez, Castaño, Mastantuono, Driussi, Colidio
- Urawa Red Diamonds: Nishikawa, Ishihara, Boča, Høibråten, Ogiwara, Gustafson, Yasui, Kaneko, Watanabe, Savio, Matsuo
Match facts and head-to-head
- This is the first ever meeting between the two teams
- In four of Urawa’s last five matches, both teams have scored
- Both teams have also scored in four of River Plate’s last five games
Prediction
The gap in class and international experience is clear—River Plate are stable, balanced, and focused solely on victory. However, the Japanese side won’t roll over—their structured play and high tempo could be a disruptive factor. The smart play here is on “Both teams to score” at odds of 2.01.
