Blooming (home)
- Blooming have yet to start their domestic season but have built momentum from pre-season wins and their Sudamericana qualifier performance.
- Jhordy Garcés, Anthony Vásquez and Roberto Hinojosa all scored in their 3-0 win over San Antonio Bulo Bulo in their Sudamericana qualifier and they will be looking for a similar display here.
- Mauricio Soria has a good team and his tactical acumen should serve Blooming well during the group stage, but his men are more of a pragmatic side that like to play with width, attack vertically and press when they can.
- Braulio Uraezana will need to be at his best in goal against River’s dangerous attack.
CA River Plate (ARG) (away)
- CA River Plate have won four of their last five competitive matches in all competitions, defeating Estudiantes Río Cuarto 2-0 last time out.
- River Plate have a squad full of talent and can play several different styles, but Eduardo ‘Chacho’ Coudet’s preferred system is a front-heavy formation that controls the ball and presses very high.
- Their midfield is arguably their greatest strength with Aníbal Moreno and Fausto Vera good at controlling the tempo of the game and breaking up play.
- Attackers like Juan Fernando Quintero and Sebastián Driussi are creative and have a proven ability to score goals, while Franco Armani in goal and right-back Gonzalo Montiel’s set piece ability add further strength at both ends of the field.
Head-to-Head
This will be Blooming and CA River Plate’s first-ever official meeting in continental competition .
River Plate
- Aníbal Moreno - good at controlling the tempo of the game and breaking up play.
- Fausto Vera - good at controlling the tempo of the game and breaking up play.
- Juan Fernando Quintero - creative attacker with goal-scoring ability.
- Sebastián Driussi - creative attacker with goal-scoring ability.
- Franco Armani - experienced goalkeeper.
- Gonzalo Montiel - right-back with set-piece ability.
Blooming
- Jhordy Garcés - scored in the 3-0 Sudamericana qualifier.
- Anthony Vásquez - scored in the 3-0 Sudamericana qualifier.
- Roberto Hinojosa - scored in the 3-0 Sudamericana qualifier.
- Braulio Uraezana - goalkeeper who will be tested by River’s attack.
Betting Insights
- The market makes River Plate the 1.4 favorites to win this game.
- The odds for Both Teams to Score - Yes at 1.65 and Over 2.5 goals at 1.48 are attractive.
Prediction
- Group H opener should feature goals at both ends.
- We feel the home team have enough in their armoury to make it an exciting game.
