River Plate – Belgrano

River Plate experienced a comfortable debut last weekend, when they didn’t find any difficulties to beat CA Central Cordoba 3-0 at home in the Liga Profesional opener. El Millonario made it three victories across their last four league matches (along with a single defeat) and accumulated their first three points in this competition to climb into the first spot of the aggregate table. In fact, Martin Demichelis’ men extended their unbeaten streak at home: they remain without defeat at Estadio Monumental in domestic action in 2024, winning five and drawing three. On Tuesday 14, River beat Libertad from Paraguay 2-0 at home in a Copa Libertadores group match. All regulars are available to host Belgrano on Saturday.

Belgrano celebrated a massive home point in their Liga Profesional debut last Sunday, when they ended up drawing 4-4 against Racing Club at home (with Franco Jara netting a hat-trick) after trailing 4-1 until the 77th minute. El Pirata are going through a hectic season, occupying 22nd spot of the aggregate table, but they lost only one of the last four in league action (two victories and one draw). On away turf, Belgrano took seven points from the last nine on offer. On Wednesday 15, Belgrano won 1-0 as hosts over Bolivia’s CD Real Tomayapo in a Copa Sudamericana group game. Striker Franco Jara, who has been replacing the long-term injured Lucas Passerini, is now affected by a muscle problem and will miss out.

I expect River to take another easy win here against this Belgrano that had a key midweek game in Copa Sudamericana and won’t have who has been their best striker lately, Franco Jara, who was replacing Lucas Passerini who has a long term injury, so their attacking power is seriously in trouble.

BET: River -1.25 @ 1.89