River Plate vs Urawa Red Diamonds Tips, Predictions and Bet Builder

UEFA Champions League runners-up Inter Milan are seen as the powerhouse team in Group E of the Club World Cup so River Plate and Urawa Red Diamonds will both be keen to get off to a winning start.

Argentinian giants River Plate qualified courtesy of being the best-ranked eligible team in the Conmebol four-year ranking, while winning the 2022 AFC Champions League was what sealed Urawa Red Diamonds their place in the competition.

River Plate could finish only fifth in the Argentinian top flight but manager Marcelo Gallardo prioritises quick and slick football and they possess a lot of quality, most notably highly-touted youngster Franco Mastantuono, who will join Real Madrid after this competition.

Urawa Red Diamonds are currently fourth in Japan’s J1 League, with only 21 of 38 games having been played, and that is a stark improvement on last season’s 13th-placed finish. 

River Plate vs Urawa Red Diamonds Tips Summary

Market	Tip	Odds
Match Result	River Plate	3/5
Best Bet	River Plate to win & both teams to score	11/4
Bet Builder	River Plate to win, Franco Mastantuono to score or assist & Marcos Acuna to be shown a card	13/2

Key Match Stats

• River Plate are unbeaten in 18 matches after 90 minutes
• Urawa Red Diamonds have won only two of their last seven matches
• Both teams have scored in five of Urawa's last six matches
• Both teams have scored in seven of River Plate's last eight matches
• Seven of River Plate's last nine matches have featured three or more goals

River Plate vs Urawa Red Diamonds Prediction

Best Bet: River Plate to win & both teams to score @ 11/4

There could be a contrast in styles here as River Plate play with a high tempo and like to dominate possession, whereas Urawa Red Diamonds are happier to soak up pressure and are predominantly a more counter-attacking team.

Therefore, River Plate are expected to be too slick and too quick for the Japanese outfit, although that could also lead to plenty of dangerous attacks for them on the break.

River Plate's 18-game unbeaten streak shows that they are in excellent touch and they will feel that they can give Inter a scare in Group E.

The Argentinian side have a nice blend of youth and experience in their squad and they have lost only five of their 50 matches since Gallardo returned to the helm.

However, the way in which they play often leaves their high line vulnerable and one clean sheet in eight suggests that they will be relying on their attacking powers.

Both teams have scored in five of Urawa's last six matches, so take the Japanese side to grab a consolation.

Aaron Ashley explains:

There appears to be a clear contrast in styles but opposites attract and that could lead to an entertaining encounter. River Plate should dictate the tempo of the contest, but are happy to push bodies forward and Urawa Red Diamonds can exploit them on the break.

River Plate vs Urawa Red Diamonds Bet Builder Tip

• River Plate to win
• Franco Mastantuono to score or assist
• Marcos Acuna to be shown a card
  
  Pays 13/2

River Plate, riding high on an 18-game unbeaten streak, may have too much quality for their Japanese rivals, who have won only two of their last seven matches.

La Banda will be gutted to see 17-year-old wonderkid Franco Mastantuono depart for Real Madrid but he will be keen to go out on a high and showcase his talents in this competition.

Mastantuono, who signed a six-year deal with Real, has seven goals and four assists in 20 appearances this year and could have a starring role to play.

South American sides are renowned for their high tempers and a booking for River Plate defender Marcos Acuna, formerly of Sevilla and Sporting, also appeals.

The 33-year-old has picked up five bookings in his last 15 league appearances and may struggle to escape the referees attention.

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Aaron Ashley adds:

Mastantuono has proven himself to be one of the brightest talents in South America with his quick feet, silky dribbling and close control and he owes River Plate a lot for giving him a chance at such a young age. I expect to see the teenage talent fully focused on delivering in his final tournament for the club.

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Tactics, Form and Team News

River will have rising star Mastantuono in their side, despite the fact he will join Real Madrid on the conclusion of this tournament, and there are unlikely to be too many surprises made by manager Gallardo.

Maximiliano Meza, Gonzalo Montiel and Paulo Díaz have not long recovered from injuries but Agustin Ruberto remains a long-term absentee.

Expected River Plate line-up (4-3-3): Armani; Montiel, Martinez, Diaz, Acuna; Castano, Perez, Meza; Mastantuono, Driussi, Colidio.

Ryoma Watanabe has been Urawa’s main source of goals this season, scoring six times in 17 appearances, and is set to lead the line with Yasuke Matsuo and Matheus Savio in support of him.

However, influential midfielder Kai Shibato remains on the sidelines.

Expected Urawa Red Diamonds line-up (4-2-3-1): Nishikawa; Ishihara, Ogiwara, Gustafson, Boza; Holbraten, Kaneko; Yasui, Matsuo, Savio; Watanabe.

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.