Estudiantes LP vs River Plate Predictions

Saturday’s Superliga Argentina action sees an ever improving Estudiantes de la Plata outfit doing battle with an ecstatic River Plate outfit. A close game is expected to be in order at the Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, with little looking like separating the two.

Hosts Estudiantes arrive in improved form, with 7 points from the last 3 matches somewhat lifting the pressure that was building on boss Leandro Benitez and lifting the side up to 16th place. Nonetheless, 11 points from 9 matches still ranks as a poor start for Los Pincharratas and they can ill-afford another bad run of form.

With some talented players in their ranks, including some emerging hot prospects, Estudiantes should really be performing better than they currently are, but their recent showings at least provide reasons for encouragement. Having lost just 1 of their last 5 home games overall, confidence should be fairly high going into Saturday’s clash and those taking to the pitch will be vying for what would be a third consecutive win.

Meanwhile, River arrive on cloud nine after their stunning win in Brazil in midweek. Los Millonarios travelled to Porto Alegre for a Libertadores semi-final tie with Gremio 1-0 down, but managed to book their place in the final with two goals in the last 10 minutes, running out 2-1 winners in dramatic fashion.

With the first leg of the all important final to come in midweek, boss Marcelo Gallardo is not likely to play any of his usual starters in La Plata. However, with one of the strongest squads in Argentina, whatever side he fields will be a competitive one and will be confident in securing some kind of result, with the visitors having lost just 1 of their last 17 competitive away games.

Ultimately, in normal circumstances, with River at full strength, we’d have them down as big favourites to win this match but with rotations set to be made, we fancy it to be a far more competitive affair.

As such, the price available on the spoils being shared looks to provide good value and is exactly where our money is going. Estudiantes have proved hard to beat on home soil recently and they should be able to take something from a River side severely under strength. 7 of River’s last 17 away games have ended all square and a 1-1 draw could well be on the cards come full time on Saturday.