River Plate vs Gimnasia LP Predictions

Monday’s Superliga Argentina action sees River Plate doing battle with Gimnasia de la Plata. Both teams are set to make numerous changes but it’s the hosts who arrive as favourites to claim all 3 points.

It’s fair to say it’s not been a week in which River have covered themselves in glory, first seeing the second leg of their Copa Libertadores final with arch rivals Boca postponed due to their fans attacking their rival’s bus, prior to losing their Copa Argentina semi-final in midweek to none other than the side they face once again here, Gimnasia.

Nonetheless, given the second leg of the aforementioned final is set to take place in Madrid next weekend, this match is of very little importance for Los Millonarios right now and boss Marcelo Gallardo is set field an entirely reserve XI as a result. Those taking to the pitch will still be looking to claim all 3 points however, in order to aid the side’s title aspirations and currently unbeaten in 10 home league matches, confidence can be high going into the clash.

Meanwhile, Gimnasia’s shootout win in the week has them on the brink of winning a major title, something that would be rather remarkable considering El Lobo have won next to nothing in their 131 year existence. Local rivals Estudiantes have won the top flight 6 times and the Copa Libertadores 4 times, meaning that Gimnasia have long been the victim of much derision but they’re now within touching distance of finally having their moment in the spotlight.

As such, despite being well involved in the fight to avoid the drop, the visitors are set to rest their entire regular starting XI on Monday, leaving their prospects looking rather bleak as regards taking something from the game. Indeed, with their strongest team having lost their last 3 Superliga matches without even so much as scoring a goal, it’s hard to envisage their second string performing any better.

Ultimately, whilst both outfits are hardly going all out for the win, evidenced by the teams they are set to field, River’s home advantage and greater depth should see them through. Their squad is a far deeper one than Gimnasia’s given the disparity in the resources the two have available and the hosts have to be regarded as huge favourites as a result.

As far as the betting goes, we really like the looking of backing River to clear the 1.5 team goal line. River have scored an average of 1.9 goals a game over their last 10 Superliga home matches and with Gimnasia having conceded at least twice in their last 4 outings, River should be able to record a comfortable 2-0 victory.