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Aron Wright - May 21, 2018
River Plate vs Flamengo
Copa Libertadores
Date: Thursday, 24 May 2018
Kick-Off at 01:45 UK / 02:45 CET
Venue: Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, Buenos Aires.
River Plate host Flamengo in the direct clash for the very top of the Group 4 on Wednesday evening at Estadio Monumental. Los Millonarios are in a much better position being two points above ahead of the tie and they will be happy with the draw here.
Marcelo Gallardo has been doing an amazing job of late as he managed to lift team’s spirits after a rather dismal start to the season in both Superliga and Copa Libertadores. River began the continental competition with back-to-back draws against Flamengo and Santa Fe, but such start was followed by three subsequent victories which launched the team to the very top of the group standings.
Nevertheless, Flamengo are about to bring a serious test to such an impressive streak of River’s. The Brazilians are also enjoying a decent thread of their won as they are yet to suffer a loss in Copa Libertadores (two wins and three draws so far). Overall, Mauricio Barbieri’s men lost just one of last 12 matches in all competitions.
Interestingly, these two giants have not had the chance to lock horns in the past.
Their maiden H2H encounter happened in early-March when teams shared spoils in a 2-2 draw at Estadio Nilzon Santos in Rio de Janeiro.
Substitute Camilo Mayada was the one who bagged the late leveller for Los Millonarios three minutes from time to set the final score back then.
River are enjoying a stellar form with 12 wins and 2 draws in last 14 games in all competitions. They are reasonably seen as 1.80 favourites to keep such form going and grab the spoils here, but we’ll avoid high stake bets because of Flamengo’s almost equally impressive streak ahead of the tie. The draw maybe looks to be the bet with the highest value, set at the 3.50 odds.
Creating in the final third will be the main challenge for the side led by Mauricio Barbieri since River have been very tough to break down lately. As the matter of fact, the hosts conceded just one goal in last ten matches across competitions. This, combined with the fact River will be happy with the draw here, makes the Under 2.5 goals FT bet a super alternative at 1.65.
Draw @ 3.50
Under 2.5 goals FT @ 1.65.
