The most anticipated match in Group E of the 2025 Club World Cup could leave one of the candidates eliminated.
At Seattle's Lumen Field, River and Inter will play for their future in what promises to be an entertaining match, with the possibility of a three-way tie for first place and a qualifier for the Round of 16 being decided by yellow and red cards.
Marcelo Gallardo's River come into this following a 0-0 draw against Monterrey, where they missed a great chance to win and qualify in the last matchday. Although they lead the group with four points and a +2 goal difference, if they don't beat Inter (four points and +1), it could become complicated: a defeat or even a draw could leave them out of the competition if Monterrey (2 points) beats Urawa Reds (0 points).
For Inter, the outlook is similar. Taking into account the tiebreak system at the Club World Cup to qualify for the Round of 16, if the Nerazzurri draw and Monterrey get three points against the Japanese side, who are already eliminated, it could well mean that fair play becomes the decisive factor. Inter will want to win to avoid any use of the calculator.
According to Bet365, the favourite in this match is Inter. Backing the Italian team pays 23/20 whilst a win for River in Seattle is priced up at 29/10. For the draw, it is 21/10.
The Sporting News presents odds and predictions to bet and make the match more exciting
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Inter Milan vs. River Plate prediction, tips, bet builder and odds for Club World Cup clash
Miguel Borja to score at any time: 47/20 with 10Bet
Without Sebastian Driussi for the rest of the tournament due to a sprained ankle, the only centre-forward in River's squad is Miguel Borja. Although the Colombian is likely to start, he has not yet scored in the United States and missed several chances against Monterrey. This match gives him the ideal opportunity to score again in a big game and regain his confidence. With six goals in his first season and a record of 31 goals in 2024, he can upset an Inter team that conceded goals against Monterrey and the Urawa Red Diamonds.
Over 2.5 goals in the match: 1/1 with 10Bet
River and Inter are two teams that tend to have an attacking mindset. Despite the different combinations of results that could happen, both clubs know that with a win they will be in the Round of 16 and to achieve that goal they need to score goals. On River's side, until the match against Monterrey, they had enjoyed 11 successive matches scoring at least one goal, but in only two they were able to keep a clean sheet. Meanwhile, the Nerazzurri, with Lautaro Martinez as captain and top scorer, scored goals in eight of their last nine matches. And watch out: a 2-2 draw qualifies them both...
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Inter Milan vs. River Plate expected lineups, team news
The injury situation could be easing for new Inter boss Cristian Chivu, with absentees Hakan Calhanoglu (thigh), Denzel Dumfries, and Davide Frattesi (both muscular) set to return.
Marcus Thuram (hip flexor), Piotr Zielinski (calf), Benjamin Pavard (undisclosed), and Yann Bisseck (thigh) are all more likely to be involved once more in the knockouts, should Inter get there.
The ongoing absences of Thuram and Mehdi Taremi, who is stranded in Iran due to all flights in his homeland being grounded, means that Sebastiano Esposito is set to continue alongside skipper Lautaro Martinez up front.
- Inter Milan predicted XI (3-5-2, right to left): Sommer (GK) — De Vrij, Acerbi, Bastoni — Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco — Esposito, Martinez.
Injured: Zielinski, Bisseck, Thuram, Pavard
Suspended: None
If River Plate fall before the knockout rounds, head coach Marcelo Gallardo is likely to rue their indiscipline. Kevin Castano was sent off for two bookable offences against Monterrey.
Fellow midfielders Enzo Perez and Giuliano Galoppo received their second bookings of the tournament last time out, so are also suspended.
Matias Kranevitter, Nacho Fernandez and Rodrigo Aliendro are all in contention to start in the engine room. Elsewhere, Maxi Meza replaced the injured Sebastian Driussi on the left wing against Monterrey and should keep his place. Miguel Borja is the alternative for that berth.
- River Plate predicted XI (3-1-3-3, right to left): Armani (GK) — Montiel, Martinez Quarta, Diaz — Acuna — Fernandez, Kranevitter, Aliendro — Mastantuono, Colidio, Meza.
Injured: Driussi
Suspended: Castano, Perez, Galoppo
Inter Milan vs. River Plate predicted score and most likely results
Here's some of the most likely results for this Club World Cup match-up, according to Bet365.
| Result | Odds |
|---|---|
| Draw 1-1 | 5/1 |
| Inter 1-0 | 7/1 |
| Inter 2-1 | 8/1 |
| Inter 2-0 | 9/1 |
| River 1-0 | 10/1 |
| Draw 0-0 | 8/1 |
| Draw 2-2 | 12/1 |
How to watch Inter Milan vs. River Plate in Club World Cup action
- Date: Thursday, June 26
- Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle
- Time: 2:00 a.m. BST
- TV/Streaming: DAZN
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