River Plate vs Monterrey – FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Betting Preview

With a place in the knockout rounds firmly in sight, River Plate and Monterrey are set to clash in a decisive Group E encounter at the iconic Rose Bowl in California. The Argentine heavyweights head into the clash as group leaders following a 3-1 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan, while Monterrey earned a deserved point after holding European giants Inter Milan to a 1-1 draw. Both sides come into this contest full of belief and with everything still to play for, as the battle for progression intensifies.

River Plate – Gallardo’s Men Seek Early Qualification

River Plate kicked off their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup journey with a strong performance, securing a 3-1 win over Urawa Red Diamonds in Washington, D.C. The Buenos Aires powerhouse showed glimpses of their attacking prowess, with Facundo Colidio and Sebastián Driussi finding the net before substitute Maximiliano Meza wrapped up the victory with a clinical header from a corner in the second half.

Although Los Millonarios came away with all three points, head coach Marcelo Gallardo acknowledged that his players showed signs of nervousness early on. Still, the South American giants, participating in their third FIFA Club World Cup, now find themselves in a commanding position at the top of Group E. With Inter Milan and Monterrey playing out a draw in their opening match, River’s triumph over Urawa has given them a two-point lead. A second successive victory on Sunday would guarantee their progression to the knockout phase ahead of schedule.

However, the Argentine club has a few injury concerns heading into this pivotal match. Forward Sebastián Driussi, who scored against Urawa, limped off with an ankle knock and remains questionable for Saturday night’s clash. Veteran midfielder Enzo Pérez was also forced off at halftime due to muscle discomfort, while rising talent Agustín Ruberto is still sidelined with a long-term knee injury.

Gallardo may turn to experienced Colombian striker Miguel Ángel Borja to lead the line in Driussi’s absence, with Franco Mastantuono – Real Madrid’s 17-year-old summer signing – and Colidio providing width and creativity in attack. In the center of the park, Giuliano Galoppo or Manuel Lanzini could fill the gap left by Pérez. The defensive line, anchored by World Cup-caliber names like Gonzalo Montiel, Germán Pezzella, and Marcos Acuna, is expected to remain unchanged, while shot-stopper Franco Armani continues as the reliable last line of defense.

River Plate will look to maintain their momentum and capitalize on their early group lead as they chase a deep run in the tournament. With firepower in attack and quality throughout the squad, the South Americans are aiming to make a bold statement on the international stage in Pasadena.

Monterrey – Rayados Embracing the Underdog Role

Despite entering the tournament with just a seven percent chance of qualification according to Opta’s supercomputer, Monterrey exceeded expectations with a spirited performance against Champions League finalists Inter Milan on matchday one. The Mexican club took a surprise lead through 39-year-old Sergio Ramos, who powered home a trademark header from a corner, only for Lautaro Martínez to level the score just before halftime.

Led by new manager Domènec Torrent, a former assistant to Pep Guardiola, Monterrey looked well-drilled and composed in their first Club World Cup outing of 2025. Torrent spoke of using this tournament as an opportunity to “show the world who Rayados are,” and based on their opening display, Monterrey will believe they can take the next step against River Plate.

Victory on Sunday would dramatically boost their chances of reaching the next round, especially with a potentially winnable final group stage game against Urawa Red Diamonds on the horizon. Even a draw might be enough to keep them in the running, depending on other results.

Experienced defender Carlos Salcedo is still recovering from a serious ACL injury and has been ruled out of the Club World Cup campaign. Despite his absence, Monterrey are expected to line up with the same XI that held Inter Milan to a 1-1 draw. Esteban Andrada is set to continue as the starting goalkeeper, backed by a solid three-man defensive unit consisting of Stefan Medina, the experienced Sergio Ramos, and rising star Víctor Guzmán.

On the wings, Ricardo Chávez and Gerardo Arteaga are expected to offer width and defensive support in their wing-back roles. The midfield trio should once again include Spanish duo Sergio Canales and Óliver Torres, alongside Argentine Jorge Rodríguez. In attack, Lucas Ocampos and Germán Berterame are set to lead the line, combining physicality and flair in the final third.

Tactical Outlook – Who Has the Edge?

Tactically, this match could offer a fascinating contrast in styles. River Plate typically play a fluid, attacking brand of football with vertical transitions and clever movement in the final third. With Mastantuono and Colidio linking up alongside Borja, they’ll look to press high and disrupt Monterrey’s buildup.

Monterrey, on the other hand, operate with greater structure and balance, using Ramos as a key presence at the back and seeking to control the midfield tempo through Canales and Torres. Their wing-backs are crucial to the system, providing both attacking width and defensive solidity, while Ocampos and Berterame will look to exploit spaces in behind River Plate’s experienced defense.

Possible Starting XI of River Plate and Monterrey

River Plate: Franco Armani – Gonzalo Montiel, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Germán Pezzella, Marcos Acuna – Rodrigo Castano, Giuliano Galoppo, Enzo Perez – Franco Mastantuono, Miguel Borja, Facundo Colidio. (4-3-3)

Monterrey: Esteban Andrada – Stefan Medina, Sergio Ramos, Victor Guzmán – Ricardo Chávez, Sergio Canales, Jorge Rodríguez, Oliver Torres, Gerardo Arteaga – Lucas Ocampos, Germán Berterame. (3-5-2)

River Plate vs Monterrey Prediction

According to the latest betting odds provided by EveryGame, River Plate are currently priced as +105 favorites to win the match, while Monterrey are slight underdogs at +260. The draw is available at +245, highlighting how evenly matched this decisive Group E contest could be.

Our recommended bet for Saturday’s FIFA Club World Cup late kick-off is for both teams to score, priced at -133. With Los Millonarios possessing attacking quality in the form of Borja, Colidio, and Mastantuono, and Monterrey countering with Ocampos and Berterame, there’s strong value in backing both sides to find the net. Given River Plate’s defensive vulnerabilities and Rayados’ structured threat, goals at both ends look highly likely.

Spooky Express Free Play: Both teams to score – Yes -133 at EveryGame for 7/10 Units