Prediction: River Plate vs Monterrey

Verdict: River Plate win

Best odds: 21/20

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to secure their place in the FIFA Club World Cup knockout stage with a game to spare, Group E leaders River Plate will face Monterrey at the Rose Bowl in California on Sunday (BST).

The Argentine heavyweights made a winning start to their campaign by collecting all three points against Urawa Red Diamonds, while Monterrey earned plaudits for holding European giants Inter Milan to a draw in their tournament opener.

River Plate

Competing in their third Club World Cup, River Plate kicked off their 2025 campaign with a 3-1 win over Urawa Red Diamonds in Washington on Tuesday, overcoming early nerves to claim an important three points.

Facundo Colidio and Sebastian Driussi each found the net with headers either side of half time, before Yusuke Matsuo pulled one back for the J1 League side from the penalty spot around the hour mark. However, River made sure of the result in the 73rd minute, when substitute Maximiliano Meza nodded in from a corner.

Although head coach Marcelo Gallardo acknowledged the team felt “some nerves” in their opening match, he was ultimately satisfied with the performance, calling it an “important” win and emphasising the need for further improvement.

Given just an 11% chance of topping Group E by Opta’s supercomputer before the tournament began, River now find themselves two points clear at the summit after Inter were held by Monterrey. A second successive win on Sunday would seal a place in the knockout rounds.

Team News

River Plate striker Sebastiaan Driussi will undergo a late fitness test after limping off with an ankle injury shortly after scoring on matchday one, following a collision with Urawa Red Diamonds goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa.

Veteran midfielder Enzo Perez, now 39, was withdrawn at half time in that match due to muscle discomfort and is also a doubt for Sunday’s clash, while 18-year-old forward Agustín Ruberto remains unavailable with a long-term knee issue.

If Driussi is not deemed fit to feature, Miguel Borja is expected to step into the starting XI, linking up with Facundo Colidio and 17-year-old Franco Mastantuono—recently signed by Real Madrid—in attack. In midfield, Giuliano Galoppo or Manuel Lanzini could come in to replace Pérez if he fails to recover in time.

Monterrey

Monterrey, who were only given a 7% chance of advancing pre-tournament, held their own admirably against Group E favourites Inter Milan in a 1-1 draw at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday.

Veteran defender Sergio Ramos – a four-time Club World Cup winner with Real Madrid – gave the Mexican side the lead with a powerful header from a corner just before the half-hour mark. Lautaro Martinez equalised for Inter just before the break, but Rayados held firm in the second half to secure a valuable point.

That was Domenec Torrent’s first match in charge since succeeding Fernando Ortiz, and the ex-Guardiola assistant hailed the tournament as a “great opportunity” to showcase Monterrey on the world stage and compete against elite opposition.

Now taking part in their sixth Club World Cup, Monterrey sit joint-second in Group E and will be eager to avoid defeat against River Plate to keep their qualification hopes alive. A win on Sunday would put them in pole position to advance, with a potentially decisive clash against Urawa to come.

Historically, Monterrey have met River Plate twice in friendlies but are yet to win—losing 1-0 in January 2023 before a 1-1 draw followed in 2024.

Team News

Carlos Salcedo is ruled out of the tournament altogether as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury.

Manager Domenec Torrent may opt to keep faith with the same starting lineup that drew with Inter, deploying Sergio Ramos, Stefan Medina and Victor Guzman in a back three, flanked by wing-backs Ricardo Chavez and Gerardo Arteaga.

In central midfield, former Porto man Oliver Torres and Spanish international Sergio Canales are likely to continue, while the front two of Lucas Ocampos and German Berterame—both facing a side from their homeland—will again shoulder the attacking responsibility.

Conclusion

A lively and tightly-fought contest is expected in California, with both sides confident in their ability to claim maximum points.

While goals at both ends are likely, River Plate may possess just enough quality to edge past their Mexican counterparts on the night.

Verdict: River Plate win

Best odds: 21/20

Bookmaker: Luckster