Boca Juniors vs. River Plate Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 9 November 2025

Get ready for an electrifying clash as Boca Juniors take on River Plate in the Liga Profesional on 9 November at 19:30. This rivalry, arguably the fiercest in Argentine football, always promises drama and passion.

Boca Juniors, currently 5th with 23 points, come into the game as bookmaker favorites at 2.34 odds. With Claudio Úbeda at the helm, they’ll be looking to leverage their attacking prowess, particularly Milton Gimenez, who has been in fine form with 5 goals.

River Plate, lying 9th with 21 points, have endured a mixed run of form recently (LLWLL). However, under Marcelo Gallardo, they have a knack for rising to the occasion in high-stakes matches. Their top scorer, Giuliano Galoppo, also has 5 goals and will be crucial for their hopes.

Previous encounters have seen River Plate edge Boca, including a 2-1 victory earlier this year, suggesting they have the mental edge. Given both teams’ closely matched positions and form, expect a tightly contested game.

Match Tip: Although Boca Juniors are favorites, a smart bet would be River Plate to win, given their recent head-to-head successes.

Boca Juniors vs River Plate Prediction & Betting tip

Boca Juniors vs River Plate Prediction
Betting tip
River Plate to win
Expect a thrilling match as Boca Juniors face off against River Plate. The recommended bet here is River Plate to win, despite Boca’s status as favorites and their higher league standing. Here’s why:

• Recent Head-to-Head Success: River Plate have won the last two encounters, giving them a psychological edge.
• Performance in High-Stakes Matches: Under Marcelo Gallardo, River Plate tend to shine in important fixtures.
• Competitive Standings: Both teams are close in the league, separated by just 2 points, making this a tightly contested and unpredictable affair.
  Given these factors, a River Plate win looks like a savvy bet, combining value with recent form and head-to-head success.

Boca Juniors vs River Plate Odds

This highly anticipated clash between Boca Juniors and River Plate is not only a fan favorite but also a significant betting opportunity. The odds reflect the competitive nature of this encounter, with Boca Juniors slightly edging as favorites.

Boca Juniors vs River Plate Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Boca Juniors	2.34
Draw	2.93
River Plate	3.29

Given the tight odds, it’s clear that this match could go either way. Boca Juniors’ attacking form and home advantage make them the favorites, but River Plate’s recent head-to-head success adds intrigue and potential value to betting on an away win. The draw also presents an attractive option for bettors, reflecting the closely matched standings and the unpredictable nature of this fiercely contested derby.

With both teams keen on scoring and given their current form, expect a high-intensity match that could swing either way.

Boca Juniors Team Analysis

Boca Juniors Recent Performance LWLWW

Boca Juniors have had a mixed bag in their last five matches, securing three wins and suffering two losses. They began with a 2-1 defeat to Defensa y Justicia but quickly bounced back with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Newell’s Old Boys. However, their momentum was briefly halted by a 2-1 loss to Belgrano. Boca then reignited their winning form with a 3-1 victory over Barracas Central and a close 2-1 win against Estudiantes.

Boca Juniors have been prolific in front of goal, averaging 2.40 goals per game in their last five matches. Despite this attacking prowess, they have managed only one clean sheet, highlighting a potential vulnerability at the back. With a league standing of 5th and 23 points on the board, Boca Juniors will be looking to continue their goal-scoring streak and secure a crucial victory against arch-rivals River Plate.

Boca Juniors Key Players

Boca Juniors will rely heavily on their key performers to make a difference in this high-stakes encounter. Milton Gimenez, the team’s top scorer with 5 goals, will be pivotal in spearheading the attack. His presence alongside Miguel Merentiel adds firepower to Boca’s forward line.

In midfield, Exequiel Zeballos and Tomas Belmonte provide creativity and energy, essential for controlling the game and linking up with the forwards. The defense, marshaled by Lautaro Di Lollo and Ayrton Costa, will need to be solid to combat River Plate’s attacking threats.

Expected lineup for Boca Juniors:

• Goalkeeper: Agustin Marchesin
• Defenders: Juan Barinaga, Lautaro Di Lollo, Ayrton Costa, Lautaro Blanco
• Midfielders: Carlos Palacios, Tomas Belmonte, Leandro Paredes, Exequiel Zeballos
• Attackers: Miguel Merentiel, Milton Gimenez

Key individual battles will likely be Gimenez vs River Plate’s Lucas Martinez Quarta, with the midfield clash between Zeballos and Juan Quintero also proving crucial.

Boca Juniors Suspensions & Injuries

Boca Juniors face this crucial derby against River Plate with a few injury concerns that could impact their squad dynamics. Alan Velasco is sidelined with a knee injury and is not expected to return until late November. Additionally, Rodrigo Battaglia is nursing a calf injury, though he might be available by mid-November.

While these injuries limit the team’s depth, Boca’s core squad remains intact for this vital clash. The absence of Velasco, a significant creative force in midfield, will necessitate players like Leandro Paredes and Tomas Belmonte stepping up to fill the void. Battaglia’s injury, however, might enforce some changes in the defensive strategy.

Despite these setbacks, Boca Juniors are hopeful to leverage their attacking prowess and home advantage to secure victory.

Boca Juniors Tactics and Formation

Boca Juniors, under Claudio Úbeda, have predominantly utilized a 4-4-2 formation in recent matches, balancing offensive potency with defensive solidity.

Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-4-2
• Key Forwards: Milton Gimenez and Miguel Merentiel, who provide a dual-threat up front.
• Midfield Quartet: Carlos Palacios, Tomas Belmonte, Leandro Paredes, and Exequiel Zeballos create a perfect blend of creativity and tenacity in the middle.
• Defensive Strategy: With only one clean sheet in their last five games, a more disciplined defensive effort will be required. Lautaro Di Lollo and Ayrton Costa will be pivotal at the back.

Notable Strategy: Boca has shown a tendency to score late in games, particularly between the 76th and 90th minutes, which could be crucial in breaking down River’s defenses.

River Plate Team Analysis

River Plate Recent Performance LLWLL

River Plate’s recent form has been quite rocky, with three defeats and just one win in their last five league matches. They started with a 2-1 loss against Rosario Central, followed by a narrow 1-0 defeat to Sarmiento. A glimmer of hope came with a 2-0 win over Talleres, but this was short-lived as they subsequently drew 0-0 with Independiente Rivadavia and lost in the penalty shootout in the Cup. Their latest outing saw them lose 1-0 to Gimnasia LP.

Despite the mixed results, the team averages 1.20 goals per game and has managed only one clean sheet during this period. These statistics suggest vulnerabilities, especially in defense. With 21 points and a 9th place standing, Marcelo Gallardo’s men will need to step up their game to overcome Boca Juniors at La Bombonera.

River Plate Key Players

River Plate will be leaning on their key players to create an impact in this derby. Giuliano Galoppo, the team’s top scorer with 5 goals, will be a critical figure in their attacking efforts. Partnering him up front will be Maximiliano Salas and Miguel Borja, forming a potent forward line.

In midfield, Juan Quintero is expected to be the creative lynchpin, supported by Kevin Castano and Juan Carlos Portillo, who bring a mix of defensive steel and passing ability. Defensively, Lucas Martinez Quarta will need to marshal the backline effectively to curb Boca Juniors’ attacking threats.

Expected lineup for River Plate:

• Goalkeeper: Franco Armani
• Defenders: Fabricio Bustos, Lucas Martinez Quarta, Lautaro Rivero, Marcos Acuna
• Midfielders: Kevin Castano, Juan Carlos Portillo, Enzo Perez, Juan Quintero
• Attackers: Miguel Borja, Maximiliano Salas

Key individual battles include Galoppo against Boca’s Lautaro Di Lollo and the midfield duel between Quintero and Boca’s Tomas Belmonte.

River Plate Suspensions & Injuries

River Plate heads into this critical match against Boca Juniors with several injury concerns that could impact their game plan. Agustín Ruberto is nursing a knee injury and is expected to return by mid-November, while the long-term absences of German Pezzella and Giorgio Costantini, both out for the season due to cruciate ligament injuries, severely limit defensive options.

Sebastian Driussi’s hamstring issue could see him sidelined for another week or two, further reducing attacking depth. Additionally, Gonzalo Montiel, dealing with a sprained knee, remains doubtful, and Facundo Colidio is also out until late November with a hamstring injury.

These injuries could force Marcelo Gallardo to make tactical adjustments and rely more heavily on remaining key players like Giuliano Galoppo and Juan Quintero for offensive and creative output.

River Plate Tactics and Formation

River Plate, led by Marcelo Gallardo, often adapts their tactical approach to suit the opponent, fielding various formations in recent matches. For the upcoming derby against Boca Juniors, a 4-2-3-1 setup is likely, focusing on a solid midfield core and flexible attacking options.

Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Maximiliano Salas, who provides an offensive threat alongside Miguel Borja.
• Midfield Trio: Enzo Perez anchors the midfield, with Juan Quintero and Kevin Castano acting as the creative and defensive components respectively.
• Defensive Strategy: The backline, led by Lucas Martinez Quarta, will need to be resolute, especially given Boca’s goal-scoring form. River has managed just one clean sheet in their last five encounters, indicating room for improvement.

Notable Strategy: River Plate tends to perform well in high-stakes matches, often leveraging experience and tactical acumen in crucial periods to edge out their rivals.

This dynamic formation allows River Plate the flexibility to adapt during the game, providing both defensive coverage and attacking prowess.

Boca Juniors vs River Plate Head-to-Head Statistics

The storied rivalry between Boca Juniors and River Plate is always a spectacle, and recent encounters have favored River Plate slightly.

In the last five meetings:

• On 27 April 2025, River Plate edged Boca Juniors with a 2-1 victory in the Liga Profesional Apertura.
• Earlier in the season, on 21 September 2024, River Plate secured a 1-0 win at Boca’s home.
• Boca Juniors did taste success with a crucial 3-2 win in the Copa de la Liga Profesional Playoff on 21 April 2024.
• Their February 2024 clash in the Copa de la Liga Profesional ended in a 1-1 draw.
• River Plate also claimed a 2-0 victory in the Copa de la Liga Profesional on 1 October 2023.

Overall, River Plate holds a psychological edge with three wins compared to Boca’s one in the last five clashes, adding more intrigue to their upcoming encounter.

Odds accurate as of 11/07/2025 at 19:30, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.