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River Plate are set to play Velez Sarsfield on Thursday in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16 at the Estadio Mâs Monumental.
River Plate come into this game on the back of a 3-2 loss to Huracan in their Argentine Primera Division game. A first-half goal from centre-back Jonathan Galvan and a second-half brace from midfielder Franco Cristaldo secured the win for Huracan.
Second-half goals from centre-back Leandro Gonzalez Pirez and Manchester City-bound forward Julian Alvarez proved to be a mere consolation for River Plate. The Argentine giants had experienced centre-back Jonatan Maidana sent off in the first half.
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Velez Sarsfield, on the other hand, lost 1-0 to Atletico Tucuman in the league. A first-half goal from centre-back Manuel Capasso sealed the deal for Atletico Tucuman.
River Plate vs Velez Sarsfield Head-to-Head
In 19 head-to-head encounters between the two sides, Velez Sarsfield hold the advantage. They have won eight games, lost six and drawn five.
The two clubs last faced each other in the reverse leg, with Velez Sarsfield beating River Plate 1-0. A first-half penalty from winger Lucas Janson ensured victory for Velez Sarsfield.
River Plate form guide in the Argentine Primera Division: L-W-W-L-D
Velez Sarsfield form guide in the Argentine Primera Division: L-D-W-L-L
River Plate vs Velez Sarsfield Team News
River Plate
River Plate will be without Paraguayan centre-back Robert Rojas. Other than that, there are no known issues and manager Marcelo Gallardo is expected to have a fully-fit squad at his disposal.
Injured: Robert Rojas
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Velez Sarsfield
Velez Sarsfield will be without centre-back Lautaro Gianetti due to injury. Meanwhile, there are doubts over the availability of former Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan centre-back and Uruguay international Diego Godin.
Injured: Lautaro Gianetti
Doubtful: Diego Godin
Suspended: None
River Plate vs Velez Sarsfield Predicted XI
River Plate Predicted XI (4-4-2): Franco Armani, Emanuel Mammana, Paulo Diaz, David Martinez, Milton Casco, Juan Fernando Quintero, Enzo Perez, Bruno Zuculini, Esequiel Barco, Braian Romero, Lucas Beltran
Velez Sarsfield Predicted XI (4-4-2): Lucas Hoyos, Leonardo Jara, Matias de los Santos, Valentin Gomez, Francisco Ortega, Luca Orellano, Nicolas Garayalde, Maximo Perrone, Lucas Janson, Lucas Pratto, Julian Fernandez
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River Plate vs Velez Sarsfield Prediction
River Plate are 12th in the league and have won only two of their last five league games. Star attacker Julian Alvarez has been in excellent form this season, but the Argentina international is moving to Manchester City.
Velez Sarsfield, on the other hand, are 24th in the league and have won only one of their last five top-flight games. They hold the advantage going into this game.
We expect River Plate to triumph.
Prediction: River Plate 2-0 Velez Sarsfield
