River Plate vs San Martin de San Juan Predictions

Saturday’s Superliga Argentina action sees River Plate doing battle with San Martin de San Juan. The hosts are expected to pick up the three points with very few issues.

After a disappointing campaign last season in which the side had to once again watch arch rivals Boca lift the Superliga crown, River had hoped for a quick start to the new season but things haven’t really clicked for Marcelo Gallardo’s men in the league just yet, with all four of their opening matches having ended all square.

River are running along very nicely in the Copa Libertadores and domestic cup but despite playing fairly well in the Superliga games we’ve seen so far, they’ve been frustrated by some outstanding opposition goalkeeping and their own poor finishing, particularly in their home stalemates with Belgrano and Argentinos Juniors respectively. Nonetheless, fresh off the back of a 2-0 Copa Argentina win over Platense in midweek, confidence is still running high in home ranks and those that take to the field will be desperate to secure victory in this clash.

Meanwhile, visiting San Martin are in big trouble, currently stationed in the last relegation spot on the average points table used to demote sides to the B Nacional. Poor campaigns over the last two years have put El Verdinegro in a difficult position this season and on the basis of what we’ve seen so far, the side look unlikely to retain their top flight status.

After 4 matches, San Martin do have 5 points, but their first 3 games came against direct relegation rivals and this trip to face River represents an entirely different kettle of fish. Walter Coyette’s men were highly disappointing last time out, going down 2-1 on home soil to Huracan and that result has confidence levels low coming into Saturday’s game.

Ultimately, whilst River may make a few changes with an important Libertadores game to come in midweek, the gap in quality between themselves and San Martin is a substantial one and whatever side Los Millonarios field should be one strong enough to win the match.

Unbeaten in 13 matches as hosts, winning 7 of said clashes, River are a real force to be reckoned with at the Monumental and they should have far too much for a San Martin outfit that’s won just 2 of it’s last 12 away outings. Considering River have kept a clean sheet in their last 6 home matches, backing a River win to nil looks the best way to play and that’s exactly where our money is going alongside a play on a 2-0 home win correct scoreline.