Following a disappointing end to their Copa Libertadores campaign, River Plate will shift their focus to the Argentine Primera Division, as they host Godoy Cruz at El Monumental on Monday.
The hosts failed to score in both legs of their round-of-16 tie, losing out to Velez Sarsfield 1-0 on aggregate, while Godoy Cruz head into the contest unbeaten in three consecutive league matches.
River Plate will need to put their energy on what lies ahead, and for the moment, the task for them will be to retain their domestic title, currently sitting 13th in the table, six points behind leaders Gimnasia La Plata.
Marcelo Gallardo’s side rarely have a problem maintaining the ball for long stretches as they are among the top possession-based squads in all of South America, but they have recently failed to provide that decisive pass to unlock opposing defences.
Some solid work from River Plate’s backline has enabled them to shut down central channels, as they are masters at condensing the pitch, conceding a goal or fewer in five straight matches across all competitions at El Monumental.
Meanwhile, Godoy Cruz are among the clubs with a solid defensive shape, having conceded the second-fewest goals to date in the second phase of the Argentine Primera Division.
Favio Orsi has been lining up the team with two holding midfielders and another three just in behind their lone striker, and that formation has enabled them to disrupt their opponents’ flow on the ball.
However, they have failed to create many scoring opportunities away from home, scoring once or fewer in five consecutive domestic matches.
Facing a club with the talent level of River Plate in front of over 70000 fans is a toll order for any side, but Godoy are capable of handling themselves in a challenging environment like that.
River Plate vs Godoy Cruz head to head
The two teams have previously met on 26 occasions across all competitions, where River Plate have claimed 15 victories while Godoy have won seven, and they have drawn in four. Godoy have scored 22 goals and conceded 46. In their last five meetings, Godoy have won once while River Plate have won four.
Godoy Cruz 0-1 River Plate 26/01/20
Godoy Cruz 0-1 River Plate 15/11/20
River Plate 3-1 Godoy Cruz 06/12/20
Godoy Cruz 1-6 River Plate 21/03/21
Godoy Cruz 2-1 River Plate 08/08/21
River Plate latest home form
River Plate have recently been on a good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They drew 0-0 with Velez Sarsfield in their last home game in the Copa Libertadores. In their last five matches, they have scored 14 goals and conceded just two.
River Plate 4-0 Colo Colo 20/05/22
River Plate 8-1 Alianza Lima 26/05/22
River Plate 0-0 Atletico Tucuman 12/06/22
River Plate 2-1 Lanus 26/06/22
River Plate 0-0 Velez Sarsfield 07/07/22
River Plate latest away form
River Plate have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just one of their six most recent matches. They lost 3-2 to Huracan in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded six.
Defensa y Justicia 0-0 River Plate 06/06/22
Colon 1-0 River Plate 16/06/22
Union 1-5 River Plate 20/06/22
Velez Sarsfield 1-0 River Plate 30/06/22
Huracan 3-2 River Plate 04/07/22
Godoy Cruz latest home form
Godoy Cruz have recently been on a good run of form at home, having won each of their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat Colon 1-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded just one.
Godoy Cruz 1-0 Central Cordoba SdE 03/05/22
Godoy Cruz 2-0 Tristan Suarez 14/05/22
Godoy Cruz 2-0 Racing Club 12/06/22
Godoy Cruz 2-1 Defensa y Justicia 20/06/22
Godoy Cruz 1-0 Colon 03/07/22
Godoy Cruz latest away form
Godoy Cruz have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having been winless in their seven most recent matches. They drew 1-1 with Atletico Tucuman in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded eight.
Boca Juniors 1-1 Godoy Cruz 21/04/22
Barracas Central 3-1 Godoy Cruz 07/05/22
Platense 2-1 Godoy Cruz 05/06/22
Rosario Central 1-0 Godoy Cruz 17/06/22
Atletico Tucuman 1-1 Godoy Cruz 28/06/22
River Plate news
Jose Paradela and Braian Romero will be counted on to generate some goals, as Paradela has two assists while Romero has tallied three times.
Jonatan Maidana will be suspended for this contest following his expulsion in their defeat at Huracan, while we might see some of their regulars return to the squad on Monday.
Godoy Cruz news
Tadeo Allende scored his first of the domestic campaign in their victory over Colon last week, while Martin Ojeda has set up three goals so far this year.
Godoy Cruz made only one change to their starting XI to kick off July, as Elias Lopez replaced Guillermo Ortiz in defence.
Prediction and Odds
River Plate head into the contest looking to bounce back from their loss in the last league match and the Copa Libertadores disappointment, having the home advantage.
Meanhwile, Godoy Cruz will feel confident having won two of their last three league matches, but we feel a draw will be the outcome.
Odds: 1 2.15 X 2.05 2 2.30
Probable outcomes
River Plate 0-0 Godoy Cruz
River Plate 1-1 Godoy Cruz
River Plate 2-2 Godoy Cruz
River Plate 1-0 Godoy Cruz
River Plate 2-1 Godoy Cruz
