River Plate to cruise past The Strongest in Copa Libertadores Group D play
River Plate vs The Strongest - 28/06/2023
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River Plate and The Strongest have everything to play for in Copa Libertadores Group D play this week. The two teams are separated by just one point, as the group stage goes into its final game.
Bolivia’s The Strongest are fourth in Group D, with six points from five matches. A win over River Plate could send The Strongest into the knockout stage, depending on the result between Fluminense and Sporting Cristal.
River Plate are in a better position, with seven points from five games. However, the Argentines are level on points with third-place Sporting Cristal.
A draw against The Strongest may not be enough for the Argentines to go through depending on the other group game’s result.
In three previous Copa Libertadores matches, River Plate posted one win, a draw, and a loss to The Strongest dating back to 2016. The reverse Copa Libertadores Group D fixture ended 3-1 in favour of The Strongest.
River were down 2-0 by halftime in Bolivia thanks to two goals from The Strongest’s Enrique Triverio. Minutes after halftime, The Strongest went 3-0 up after a goal from Gonzalo Castillo.
River Plate pulled a goal back on 66 minutes through Lucas Beltran’s penalty.
The Argentines did not play at the weekend domestically. They haven’t played since Thursday, June 22, in a 3-1 win over Liga Pro rival Instituto.
River are on a seven-game unbeaten run with five of those games being wins.
The Strongest are coming off back-to-back losses in all competitions ahead of the trip to Argentina.
A 2-1 loss to Sporting Cristobal in the Copa Libertadores was followed by a 6-3 domestic league loss to Nacional Potosi.
Former Manchester City defender Martin Demichelis is the River Plate manager this season.
He has the team in good form and on the verge of going through to the knockout stage of the Copa.
Demichelis won’t have forward Salomon Rondon due to a red card suspension. Defensive midfielder Bruno Zuculini is ruled out with an ACL injury.
Centre-back Pablo Diaz is linked with a transfer to Bologna in Serie A. He could move to Italy this month.
The Strongest are managed by Argentine Claudio Biaggio. He joined the club in May and is struggling for consistent form. He prefers a 4-3-3 attacking formation. No fresh injuries have been reported by Biaggio.
River Plate may have lost 3-1 in the reverse fixture, but they are playing at home. This time around, they should ease by The Strongest. The Bolivians are on a run of bad form and conceded six times on the domestic front last weekend. River should win 3-0.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
CLA
592219
1
3 - 0
3.07
14°
1.10
1.10
8.00
23.00
no
no
no
2 - 0(1 - 0)
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