Fluminense vs River Plate Prediction: Fluminense Dominating with Two in Two Wins

In the upcoming fixture of Copa Libertadores, Matchday 3, Fluminense will be up against River Plate at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro. According to the table standings, Fluminense leads Group D with 2 wins and 6 points, whereas River Plate stands 3rd with a win and 3 points. If River Plate manages to upset Fluminense, the standings could flip. Fluminense and River Plate last competed against each other in 2021. Libertadores and Fluminense won playing away from home (1-3). Continue reading to find out more about the exciting matchup. 

Fluminense - Coming off a Defeat Against Fortaleza (LWWWW)

Fluminense’s unbeaten winning run came to a disruptive end as Fortaleza won (4-2) playing at home. In order to recover from the recent setback, Fluminense will be looking forward to carrying its unbeaten run in Libertadores. In the last outing against Fortaleza, Fluminense’s defense couldn’t concentrate and defend the post. Moreover, Fluminense had 70% possession but just couldn’t stop Fortaleza’s strikers from striking timely goals. Alan and John Kennedy were the only two scorers from the last outing in Serie A. If we take a look at Fluminense’s match form, it has been peculiar, with wins over The Strongest and Sporting Cristal. Fluminense managed to win 4 of the last 5 matches in clean sheets, but the last defeat crushed every positive stat. Fluminense has scored 11 goals in the last five matches, averaging 2.20 goals per game. Compared to the scoring, it has only conceded 4 in the last match against Fortaleza.

Expected Opening Lineup for Fluminense

Fábio; Samuel Xavier, Nino, Felipe Melo, Guga; Andre, Alexsander; John Arias, Goose, Lima; German Cano.

River Plate - Maintaining Scoring Average and Consistency (DWWWW)

With 4 wins and a draw in the last five matches played, River Plate will be entering this match unbeaten. With a terrific record across all competitions in the last five matches played, River Plate is likely to play with a well-balanced formation. In the last outing against Atletico Tucuman (1-1), River got lucky as Joaquin Pereyra scored an own goal in the 87th minute of play. The last match against River Plate was quite intense, but River Plate managed to keep striking. Nicolas de la Cruz, Lucas Beltran, Ezequiel Barco, and Pablo Solari scored goals, whereas Enzo Hernan Diaz was sent off due to a red card suspension. For the upcoming matchup River Plate will be playing a robust attack, as they know the hosts are likely to come out and attack from the very first minute. With 11 goals scored in the last five matches played, River averages 2.20 goals per game. In comparison to the scoring average, River has just conceded 4, averaging 0.80 goals.

Expected Opening Lineup for River Plate

Franco Armani; Milton Casco, Leandro González Pírez, Paulo Díaz, Rodrigo Aliendro; Nacho Fernandez, Enzo Perez; Esequiel Barco, Nicolás de la Cruz; Lucas Beltrán, Salomón Rondón.

Expert Betting Tips

The Maracanã has been quite lucky for the home side in recent matches this season, as Fluminense has just been defeated once in the last 11 matches played here. Hence, River Plate might feel a bit of pressure of playing away from home. The noisy and colorful crowd of Fluminense will be expecting a thriller of a contest. Though River is coming in with unbeaten form, I am backing the home side to forget about the Fortaleza defeat and win against River Plate at home. I am backing both sides to score, and the match total to be over 2.5 goals. German Cano and John Arias are likely to deliver on the big stage for Fluminense. 

• Total Over 2.5 for 2.105
• Fluminense to Win for 2.14
• Both Teams to Score - Yes for 1.80