River Plate vs Nacional Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

The 2024 Copa Libertadores group stage reaches round two and our South American expert Nathan Joyes travels to Argentina to put forward his River Plate vs Nacional prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview. 

The Argentine champions secured a 2-0 victory over Deportivo Tachira in their opening group match, and although back on home soil, Nacional will prove to be a much more difficult test.

• River Plate vs Nacional Tip 1: BTTS – Yes
• River Plate vs Nacional Tip 2: Over 2.5 Goals
• River Plate vs Nacional Tip 3: Miguel Borja to Score Anytime

River Plate vs Nacional  Prediction 1: Uruguayans to cause problems

Argentina, Copa Libertadores, Friday, April 12th, 01:00 (UK)

Everything points towards a comprehensive victory for River Plate to win at El Monumental, which will hold this year’s final. Although that might be the case, their form hasn’t been the most convincing of late.

Yes, River has won their last three home matches, but they’ve also conceded in four of those, only keeping a clean sheet against Independiente Rivadavia. Previously, both Boca and Banfield held them to a 1-1 draw, two sides River should comfortably be beating – rivals or not.

Martin Demechelis continues to experiment with his starting XI, and with a lack of consistency and pressure from the demanding fanbase, this could prove a difficult fixture.

Nacional started their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Libertad on home soil, and although this will be a much stronger test, they’ve done well in recent times vs Brazilian and Argentina opponents.

They managed to draw 2-2 at La Bombonera vs Boca in last year’s round of 16, as well as drawing 2-2 with Internacional in Brazil. Capable from set pieces, River might be caught out with Nacional’s physical presence.

Nacional also have Ruben Bentancourt upfront, who scored four Libertadores group stage goals for Liverpool last year, as well as against Libertad last week.

• River Plate vs Nacional Prediction 1: BTTS – Yes
• Best Odds: 2.10
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

River Plate vs Nacional  Prediction 2: Goals to pour at El Monumental

River Plate should have enough to win this, but with my prediction for Nacional to get on the scoresheet, it makes perfect sense to bet on a third goal to secure two winning tips rather than just one.

This particular bet, although it didn’t land in Venezuela, is more likely to come in with River back on home soil and against a more competitive side. Deportivo Tachira only conjured up three shots vs River, and they are likely to whimper out of the tournament.

River, although have proven to be careless at the back, have scored seven goals in their last three games at El Monumental. They also put five past Velez Sarsfield earlier in the campaign, and are capable if they find their rhythm.

With Miguel Borja expected to lead the line, the Colombian is River’s main threat and has stepped up since Lucas Beltran’s transfer to Fiorentina. The forward has scored 11 in 11 domestic appearances, including a hattrick vs Velez.

With Man City-bound Claudio Echeverri expected to return to the line-up, the 18-year-old proved to be the difference when he came on vs Tachira, and his antics in the final third may help River get over the line.

• River Plate vs Nacional Prediction 2: Over 2.5 Goals
• Best Odds: 1.85
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

River Plate vs Nacional  Prediction 3: Colombian to return to the scoresheet

There appears to be a level of uncertainty when it comes to who Demichelis is going to field these days but the one consistency appears to be his number nine.

Miguel Borja suffered a minor goal scoring drought of late, but his brace vs Rosario at the weekend highlighted the importance of him to the side. The 31-year-old should be provided with plenty of opportunities under the lights at El Monumental for the first time in the Libertadores this season.

A first-half brace vs Independiente Rivadavia – thanks to assists from Claudio Echeverri and Pablo Solari – has seen his game rise at home. His hat-trick vs Velez Sarsfield only emphasises his importance to Demichelis in 2024.

At a much bigger price, I’d put no one off taking a punt on Nacional’s Ruben Bentancourt as he was so prolific in a much worse side last year, while high-flying right-back Leandro Lozana has scored two Libertadores goals already, and he’s 21.00 to find the net again.

• River Plate vs Nacional Prediction 3: Miguel Borja to Score Anytime
• Best Odds: 2.05
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 6/10

River Plate vs Nacional Prediction odds via bet365 as at 12:00, April 5th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

River Plate vs Nacional Team News and Possible Lineups: Echeverri ready to entertain

After missing out on the starting XI in Venezuela, Claudio Echeverri is expected to return to the line-up as Demichelis looks to secure three points in front of River’s demanding fanbase. With goals spread amongst the team, Demichelis will be hoping by re-introducing his young star; he can unlock Nacional’s defence or pop up with a goal of his own.

It’ll be interesting to see if Thiago Helguera (17) starts for Nacional. The defensive midfielder has attracted plenty of European attention but was only a substitute vs Libertad last time out. This could be an occasion in which the young Uruguayan embraces, and a start isn’t out of the equation.

River Plate possible starting lineup:
Armani; Casco, Diaz, Gonzalez, Boselli, Fernandez, Kranevitter, Solari, Barco, Echeverri, Borja

Nacional possible starting lineup:
Mejia; Baez Corradi, Antoni, Romero, Lozano, Castro, Sanabria, Pereyra, Galeano, Carneiro, Bentancourt

Match Stats: River to retain some momentum

• River returned to winning ways against Deportivo Tachira after two consecutive defeats for the first time since last season.
• The hosts have won their last three games at El Monumental.
• Nacional scored in all of four of their away matches in last year’s Libertadores campaign.
• Ruben Bentancourt scored four goals in six Libertadores matches for Liverpool last campaign.

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