River Plate vs Monterrey predictions: Attacks to flourish at Rose Bowl
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- Both teams have scored in River Plate’s last four games and Monterrey’s last three
- It finished 1-1 the last time these sides met in a friendly 17 months ago
- Recommended Bet: Both Teams To Score - Yes
River Plate will be targeting a knockout berth when they face Monterrey in Group E of the FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday night.
Los Millonarios began with a 3-1 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds in their opener, but the loss of striker Sebastian Driussi for the rest of the tournament has put a dampener on their bid.
Although Marcelo Gallardo’s men are in pole position to qualify for the round of 16, they cannot afford to take Monterrey lightly.
Rayados held Champions League finalists Inter Milan to a 1-1 draw in their first game and could leapfrog the Buenos Aires-based outfit into first place with a win at the Rose Bowl.
River Plate aim to build on their impressive opening victory as they face Monterrey in their second group-stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday.
Team news
Gallardo is short of striker options to replace Driussi, who suffered ankle ligament damage and will be out for some weeks.
Miguel Borja, who replaced the forward against Urawa, could start or Facundo Colidio may be shifted inside from the wing position he occupied against the J-League side to make room for either Maxi Meza or Manuel Lanzini.
Giuliano Galoppo is pushing for inclusion in midfield, possibly at the expense of Ignacio Fernandez while German Pezzella’s place in the back four could go to Paulo Diaz.
Monterrey, meanwhile, are still finding their feet under new manager Domenec Torrent.
Esteban Andrada looks set to continue in goal, despite the club’s recent acquisition of Uruguayan international Santiago Mele.
Sergio Ramos has proved effective in both penalty areas for Rayados and will captain a side containing experienced ex-La Liga stars like Oliver Torres and Sergio Canales.
The stats
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River Plate are unbeaten in 19 matches after 90 minutes, scoring an average of 1.9 goals per game.
Monterrey have won three of their last six games, scoring 10 and conceding six goals in that run.
This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between the sides, though they drew 1-1 in a friendly in January 2024.
Both teams have scored in eight of River Plate's last nine matches.
Eight of River Plate's last 10 matches have featured three or more goals.
Prediction
River Plate were too classy for Urawa Red Diamonds, but they may lack the guile and physical edge to beat a solid and strong Monterrey outfit.
Rayados’ attack can be quite potent, but their defence has struggled to keep clean sheets in recent matches.
The same is largely true of River Plate, who have shut out only one of their last nine opponents.
Expect a closely fought contest with both teams finding the back of the net at some point.
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