River Plate vs Belgrano Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Sunday’s Superliga Argentina action sees title hopefuls River Plate playing host to relegation threatened Belgrano. The home side are expected to pick up the 3 points but are not likely to have everything their own way.

After an underwhelming 8th placed finish last season, the aim for River is clear this campaign; to put a halt on Boca’s dominance over the top flight. Los Millonarios’ bitter rivals have won the league in each of the last two seasons but River certainly have the squad on paper to challenge them and will be looking to do exactly that.

Nonetheless, Marcelo Gallardo’s troops were far from convincing in their opening day clash at Huracan last weekend, drawing 0-0 rather fortunately on what was admittedly a terrible playing surface that didn’t suit the side’s style of play. The draw at least kept River’s 21 competitive match unbeaten streak going and those that take to the pitch will be looking to pick up from where they left off last season, having won the last four consecutive league games at the Monumental.

Meanwhile, despite a fairly strong 13th placed finish last season, Belgrano’s awful showing in the 16/17 season means they start this campaign in the relegation zone on the average points table. Every game is of paramount importance for El Pirata and they cannot afford to make a slow start under new boss Lucas Bernardi.

A raft of new signings and some strong results in pre-season, including a derby victory over Talleres had confidence high coming into the fight, but failure to beat relegation rivals San Martin de San Juan on home soil last time out has left a bitter taste in Cordobes mouths. Belgrano spurned chance after chance in said match but couldn’t find the all important goal, with the game ending 0-0.

When River and Belgrano meet; sparks tend to fly. There’s certainly no love lost between the two after Belgrano famously relegated River back in 2011 and indeed the last 4 meetings between the two have seen goals at both ends.

Whilst River are rightfully ranked as comfortable favourites to win the match and we do believe they will do so, Belgrano have the tools to threaten on the counter with the pacey duo of Matias Suarez and Leonardo Sequeira leading the line. Belgrano looked incisive going forward last weekend, albeit without finding the finishing touch but given the regularity with which they score past River, we’re more than happy to back them notching with maximum confidence.

Unfortunately for the visitors, getting on the scoresheet isn’t likely to be enough and River should have enough quality to pick up the points even if keeping a clean sheet isn’t likely. River have won this fixture despite conceding in each of the last two seasons and we’re more than happy to get behind that sequence continuing, with a 2-1 home win on the cards.