Independiente Rivadavia vs Fluminense: prediction & betting odds 18 August 2026

Bet on the match 

Independiente Rivadavia did not come to the Maracanã to sit back. The Mendoza side were more dangerous, Matías Fernández hit the post, and Fábio had to make several clear saves for the hosts. Fluminense therefore survived the 0:0 rather than earned it. 

The Argentinians earned the right to finish the tie at home. They finished first in Group C with 16 points from a possible 18, five wins and no defeats. Fluminense went through in second place with eight points. This is not a fleeting spell, but the whole group-stage campaign. 

Alfredo Berti has built a team that does not need to keep the ball for long. In the first leg, Ezequiel Bonifacio and Juan Elordi covered the flanks, while Iván Villalba and Sheyko Studer were at centre-back, with Álex Arce — the top scorer in this Copa Libertadores — leading the line. The system has worked against Fluminense for a third consecutive match: 2:1 in Rio in the group stage, 1:1 in Mendoza and now 0:0 at the Maracanã. They have not lost to the 2023 tournament champions. 

There is, however, an argument for the visitors. On Saturday, Fluminense beat Brasileirão leaders Palmeiras 3:2 to end a long winless run. It was Marcão's first match after Luis Zubeldía's dismissal. The emotional lift worked. But this is now a completely different match: Mendoza, the knockout stage and an opponent Fluminense have failed to beat in three consecutive meetings. 

The squad situation is no longer as difficult for the Brazilians as it was a week ago. Juan Pablo Freytes has recovered, while Julián Millán has also travelled to Argentina. However, John Kennedy is out for the rest of the season, while Jefferson Savarino and Riquelme did not travel for the upcoming match. Igor Rabello was also left out of the squad after suffering a shoulder injury against Palmeiras. 

Rivadavia's 0:2 defeat to Belgrano should not be overestimated. Berti made significant changes to the line-up: Arce, Salas, Leonel Bucca, Studer, Elordi and Leonard Costa started on the bench. Some of the key players came on during the second half, when the hosts were 2:0 ahead. Their priorities ahead of the Copa Libertadores return leg are clear. 

At home in the group stage, Rivadavia beat Bolívar and Deportivo La Guaira, while Fluminense were rescued in Mendoza only by John Kennedy's 91st-minute goal. Kennedy is now unavailable. One further detail: Fluminense have not won away from home in this tournament — two draws and a defeat in the group stage. 

The (0) handicap removes the draw from the equation and leaves only one losing scenario — a Fluminense win. The Brazilians have not achieved that outcome in any of their three head-to-head matches in this competition. At odds of 1.70, that is enough for us to stay with the hosts.