Estudiantes vs. River Plate Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 13 September 2025

Estudiantes will play hosts to the league leaders, River Plate, in an exciting clash in the Liga Profesional on 13 September 2025. Set for a 23:00 kick-off, this match promises to be a thrilling encounter given Estudiantes’ solid defensive form (3 clean sheets in their last 5) and River Plate’s potent attack (averaging 3 goals per game).

Currently sitting 10th with 12 points, Estudiantes are eager to climb the table and catch up with River Plate, who sit comfortably atop the standings with 15 points. Despite the absence of key players due to injuries, such as Joaquin Tobio Burgos and Eric Meza, Estudiantes will rely on Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, their top scorer with 2 goals, to make a difference.

River Plate, under the guidance of Marcelo Gallardo, are the bookmakers’ favorites with odds of 2.36 for an away win. They have faced some injury concerns of their own but remain a strong unit, as evidenced by recent results (WWDWW). Giuliano Galoppo, their top scorer, will likely lead the charge.

Given River Plate’s strong attack and Estudiantes’ resilient defense, we tip River Plate to win the 1st half, as they have shown the ability to dominate early play in recent matches. This one has all the makings of an entertaining fixture that could shape the narrative of the season.

Estudiantes vs River Plate Prediction & Betting Tip

Estudiantes vs River Plate Prediction
Betting Tip	Odds
River Plate to win 1st half	2.36

• River Plate have shown strong offensive form, averaging 3 goals in their last five matches.
• Estudiantes, although strong defensively (3 clean sheets in 5 games), may struggle against River’s potent attack.
• River Plate’s early dominance in their matches makes them likely to lead by the end of the first half.

In this exciting Liga Profesional showdown, River Plate’s attacking prowess and consistent early-game dominance make them a smart bet to lead by half-time, offering a promising opportunity for those looking to place their wagers.

Estudiantes vs River Plate Odds

This Liga Profesional fixture sees Estudiantes going up against River Plate, and the odds reflect the visitors’ position as favorites. Despite Estudiantes’ solid defense, River Plate’s attacking capabilities and recent form have convinced bookmakers to lean towards an away win.

Estudiantes vs River Plate Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Estudiantes to win	3.04
Draw	3.10
River Plate to win	2.36

The odds advantage for River Plate (2.36) suggests a higher probability of them securing a victory, given their track record of early match dominance and scoring capacity. Estudiantes’ odds of 3.04 indicate that they may not be the strongest contenders, but their defensive resilience could keep the match competitive.

Both teams will look to leverage their strengths, making this an enthralling contest worth watching.

Estudiantes Team Analysis

Estudiantes Recent Performance

Estudiantes have had a mixed bag of results in their last five matches. Their recent form reads: WLDWL.

While they have struggled somewhat offensively, averaging just 0.80 goals per game in their last five outings, their defense has been relatively solid, keeping 3 clean sheets.

• Central Cordoba de Santiago 2 – 0 Estudiantes (Loss)
• Estudiantes 1 – 0 Aldosivi (Win)
• Estudiantes 0 – 0 Cerro Porteno (Draw, Copa Libertadores)
• Banfield 3 – 2 Estudiantes (Loss)
• Cerro Porteno 0 – 1 Estudiantes (Win, Copa Libertadores)

Their resilience is shown by their defensive performances in the Copa Libertadores, where they’ve kept clean sheets against Cerro Porteno.

However, their attack will need to step up to compete against River Plate’s strong form. Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, the team’s top scorer with 2 goals, will be crucial in the upcoming clash. Key injuries to Joaquin Tobio Burgos and Eric Meza could also play a significant role in their overall performance.

Estudiantes Key Players

For Estudiantes, the key players will undoubtedly be their top scorer, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, who has netted 2 goals this season. His ability to find the back of the net will be crucial against a formidable River Plate defense. Midfielder Ezequiel Piovi, who will likely feature as the attacking midfielder, also plays a vital role in setting up offensive plays and creating opportunities.

On the defensive side, goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and defenders like Roman Gomez and Facundo Rodriguez need to be at their best to contain River Plate’s potent attack.

Expected lineup for Estudiantes:

• Goalkeeper: Fernando Muslera
• Defenders: Roman Gomez, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Facundo Rodriguez, Santiago Arzamendia
• Midfielders: Mikel Amondarain, Santiago Ascacibar, Tiago Palacios, Ezequiel Piovi, Cristian Medina
• Attackers: Guido Carrillo

Key individual battles to watch out for include Pirez going head-to-head with River Plate’s center-backs and Piovi trying to outfox River’s midfielders like Juan Quintero.

Estudiantes Suspensions & Injuries

Estudiantes will be missing a few key players due to injuries, which could impact their performance in the upcoming match against River Plate. Joaquin Tobio Burgos is out with a back injury but is expected to return mid-September 2025. Similarly, Eric Meza is nursing a hamstring injury and could be back around the same time.

These absences could weaken Estudiantes’ defensive stability and limit their options on the bench. Coach Eduardo Domínguez will need to make tactical adjustments to compensate for these losses and maintain their solid defensive record.

The availability of key players like Leandro Gonzalez Pirez and Fernando Muslera will be crucial for Estudiantes in mitigating the impact of these injuries.

Estudiantes Tactics and Formation

Estudiantes Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Guido Carrillo
• Midfield Trio: Tiago Palacios, Ezequiel Piovi, Cristian Medina
• Defensive Strength: Three clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Focus on a solid defensive base featuring a double pivot in midfield

Estudiantes under Eduardo Domínguez have frequently employed a 4-2-3-1 formation. This setup offers a blend of defensive solidity and sufficient attacking support. The double pivot, consisting of Mikel Amondarain and Santiago Ascacibar, acts as a shield for the backline while also facilitating transitions from defense to attack.

With Tiago Palacios and Cristian Medina on the wings and Ezequiel Piovi playing a central attacking role, Estudiantes aim to exploit space and create scoring opportunities for Guido Carrillo, their lone forward.

Despite their strong defensive record, the team needs to find more goals, averaging only 0.80 per game in their last five matches. Expect Estudiantes to focus on containment and quick counter-attacks to break River Plate’s rhythm.

River Plate Team Analysis

River Plate Recent Performance

River Plate have been on an impressive run, with their recent form reading: WWDWW. They have demonstrated strong offensive capabilities, averaging 3 goals per game in their last five matches, indicating a potent attack force.

• River Plate 2 – 0 San Martin San Juan (Win)
• Union 0 – 0 River Plate (Penalty shoot-out: 3 – 4, Cup Win)
• Lanus 1 – 1 River Plate (Draw)
• River Plate 1 – 1 Libertad (Penalty shoot-out: 3 – 1, Copa Libertadores Win)
• River Plate 4 – 2 Godoy Cruz (Win)

Despite facing a few injury setbacks, River Plate have managed to maintain their top spot in the Liga Profesional standings with 15 points. Their only recent struggle, a 1-1 draw with Lanus, was quickly rectified with wins in the Copa Libertadores and local league fixtures.

Marcelo Gallardo’s side will look to continue this momentum, leveraging their attacking prowess to trouble Estudiantes’ defense.

River Plate Key Players

River Plate’s success this season has largely been driven by their standout performers. Leading the line is Giuliano Galoppo, who tops the scoring charts with 3 goals and will be key in penetrating Estudiantes’ defense. Juan Quintero, likely to play as the attacking midfielder, will be pivotal in creating opportunities and breaking down Estudiantes’ defensive lines. Maxi Salas, positioned as the center forward, also poses a significant threat to the opposition’s backline.

On the defensive end, the experience of Franco Armani in goal will be crucial, along with the solidity provided by Lucas Martinez Quarta and Paulo Díaz in central defense.

Expected lineup for River Plate:

• Goalkeeper: Franco Armani
• Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Lucas Martinez Quarta, Paulo Díaz, Marcos Acuna
• Midfielders: Enzo Perez, Kevin Castano, Santiago Lencina, Juan Quintero, Ian Subiabre
• Attacker: Maximiliano Salas

Key battles to watch include Galoppo against Estudiantes’ center-backs and Quintero’s creativity against their defensive midfield. River Plate’s attack versus Estudiantes’ stout defense will certainly set the stage for a thrilling contest.

River Plate Suspensions & Injuries

River Plate are contending with several injuries ahead of their match against Estudiantes, which could impact their squad depth and on-field performance. Key absences include:

• Agustín Ruberto (Knee injury, return in 1-2 weeks)
• Maximiliano Meza (Tendon injury, out until late September 2025)
• German Pezzella (Cruciate ligament injury, out for the season)
• Facundo Colidio (Hamstring injury, return in 1-2 weeks)
• Sebastian Driussi (Hamstring injury, return in 1-2 weeks)

These injuries may require tactical adjustments from Marcelo Gallardo, particularly in defense and midfield. Despite these setbacks, River Plate still have a formidable lineup and sufficient depth to potentially navigate around these issues. Key players like Giuliano Galoppo and Juan Quintero will need to step up to fill the void left by their injured teammates.

River Plate Tactics and Formation

River Plate Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Maximiliano Salas
• Attacking Trio: Santiago Lencina, Juan Quintero, Ian Subiabre
• Defensive Strength: Key defensive players like Gonzalo Montiel and Paulo Díaz provide solid coverage
• Notable Strategy: High pressing and quick transitions from defense to attack

Under Marcelo Gallardo, River Plate usually employ a 4-2-3-1 formation, which allows them to stabilize their defense while maintaining a robust attacking threat.

The dual defensive midfielders, Enzo Perez and Kevin Castano, offer a solid shield for the backline, enabling River Plate to transition swiftly from defense to attack. The attacking trio of Santiago Lencina, Juan Quintero, and Ian Subiabre creates multiple scoring opportunities, with Quintero often acting as the playmaker.

Maximiliano Salas, the lone forward, will be tasked with finishing these opportunities. Despite some key injuries, River Plate’s tactical flexibility and depth make them a formidable opponent on any field.

Estudiantes vs River Plate Head-to-Head Statistics

Looking at the last five meetings between Estudiantes and River Plate, there’s a clear trend favoring River Plate:

• River Plate 0 – 2 Estudiantes (2025-03-01, Liga Profesional Apertura)
• Estudiantes 1 – 2 River Plate (2024-11-30, Liga Profesional)
• River Plate 2 – 1 Estudiantes (2024-03-14, Super Cup)
• River Plate 3 – 1 Estudiantes (2023-07-15, Liga Profesional)
• River Plate 5 – 0 Estudiantes (2022-10-06, Liga Profesional)

River Plate have been dominant, winning 4 out of the last 5 encounters. The most recent match saw Estudiantes throw a spanner in the works with a 2-0 victory away from home. However, historically, River Plate have not only won but often done so convincingly, underscoring their offensive prowess.

Their head-to-head statistics highlight River’s strength, making them the favorites going into this clash. Estudiantes will be keen to build on their recent win and upset the odds.

Odds accurate as of 11 September 2025 23:01, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.