Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Copa Libertadores match.
River Plate go into this one as favourites, but the match promises to be tight and cagey — both sides traditionally start two-legged ties with low scorelines and minimal danger around their own goal.
Libertad
The Paraguayan club drew 1:1 at home to Recoleta in their latest league outing, showing defensive inconsistency and an average cutting edge in attack. In this season’s Copa Libertadores, Libertad have been solid at home but tend to sit deep against the continent’s elite. Their squad features experienced players, yet the speed of transition from defence to attack remains questionable.
River Plate
River Plate drew 0:0 away to Independiente in the Argentine Primera, registering just one shot on target despite 56% possession. Even so, their manager’s experience in cup football and the quality of the squad suggest they will step up in the knockout rounds. The last meeting between these sides ended in a 2:0 River win, and the Argentines have historically enjoyed success against Paraguayan clubs.
Libertad vs River Plate Prediction
This opening leg is likely to be restrained: Libertad will avoid opening up, while River Plate will look to create through possession and positional play. The visitors’ class, squad depth and experience at this stage make them favourites even away from home. With minimal defensive errors and more clinical finishing, River should be capable of taking the win. The last four head-to-heads have all gone the way of the Argentines.
