River Plate vs. Sarmiento Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 12 October 2025

River Plate will be looking to bounce back as they take on Sarmiento in the 12th round of Liga Profesional on 12 October 2025 at 23:15. River Plate are currently sitting in 5th place with 18 points but have struggled recently with a form of L L L W L. Despite their dip in form, they remain the favourites with bookmakers offering odds of 1.42 for a home win.

On the other hand, Sarmiento, positioned 22nd with 12 points, have had a mixed bag of results lately, marked by a form of L W W L L. Their defense has been rather leaky, conceding an average of 2.00 goals per game, which is an area River Plate will likely exploit.

River Plate will miss several key players due to suspensions and injuries, which does level the field a bit. However, with top scorer Giuliano Galoppo on five goals and a strong home record, the odds are still heavily in their favour. Recommended bet: River Plate to Win.

River Plate vs Sarmiento Prediction & Betting tip

• Home Advantage & Historical Dominance: River Plate have a formidable home record and have dominated their head-to-head battles with Sarmiento, winning four of their last six encounters.
• Inconsistent Opponents: Sarmiento have struggled defensively, conceding an average of 2.00 goals per game lately, and their inconsistent away form makes them vulnerable.
• Strong Attacking Options: Despite their recent dip in form, River Plate have strong attacking options that should capitalize on Sarmiento’s defensive frailties, further supported by their average of 2.00 goals per match.

River are looking to build momentum and, given their history and home dominance, they appear set to secure three points. Expect River Plate to come out on top.

River Plate vs Sarmiento Odds

Heading into this Liga Profesional clash, the odds are strongly in favour of River Plate. Currently in 5th place, River Plate are looking to bounce back, and the bookmakers have taken note of their strong home record and historical dominance over Sarmiento. With Sarmiento positioned in 22nd place and struggling defensively, the odds reflect their status as clear underdogs.

These odds indicate high confidence in a River Plate win, making it less lucrative but safer for bettors. Conversely, a bet on Sarmiento presents a high-risk, high-reward scenario. Given the way both teams have played recently, River Plate’s dominance makes them the safer bet.

River Plate Team Analysis

River Plate Recent Performance: L L L W L

River Plate’s recent form has been less than stellar, with a record of L L L W L in their last five matches. This marks one win against Racing Club in the Cup but four losses across various competitions. Their losses include a tough defeat against Rosario Central and a surprising 2-1 loss at home to Deportivo Riestra. River Plate have managed to score an average of 0.80 goals per game in these five matches and have only one clean sheet to their name. Despite their struggles, River Plate’s overall quality and the attacking prowess of top scorer Giuliano Galoppo, who has netted five times this season, remain key factors. Marcelo Gallardo’s men will aim to leverage their home advantage and bounce back strong in this upcoming fixture.

River Plate Key Players

River Plate boast several key players who are expected to make significant impacts in their upcoming match against Sarmiento. The standout performer has been Giuliano Galoppo, their top scorer with five goals this season.

Another crucial figure in their line-up is goalkeeper Franco Armani, whose experience and shot-stopping abilities could be crucial, especially given their recent defensive challenges. In the midfield, Ignacio Fernandez is likely to pull the strings, providing creativity and linking up with the attack seamlessly.

Expected lineup for River Plate:

• Goalkeeper: Franco Armani
• Defenders: Fabricio Bustos, Lucas Martinez Quarta, Paulo Díaz, Milton Casco
• Midfielders: Santiago Lencina, Agustin De la Cuesta, Giuliano Galoppo
• Attacking Midfielder: Ignacio Fernandez
• Forwards: Maximiliano Salas, Facundo Colidio

Key individual battles to watch out for include Galoppo against Sarmiento’s center backs and Armani’s face-off with Sarmiento’s strikers. These match-ups would be pivotal in determining the game’s outcome.

River Plate Suspensions & Injuries

River Plate face significant challenges with several key players unavailable due to suspensions and injuries. Marcelo Gallardo will be without striker Juan Carlos Portillo, who is suspended for one match due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Additionally, numerous players are absent due to national team duties, including pivotal defenders Gonzalo Montiel, Marcos Acuna, and Lautaro Rivero. Key midfielders like Juan Quintero, Kevin Castano, and Ian Subiabre are also unavailable, which will undoubtedly affect the team’s depth and tactical flexibility.

Injury concerns add to River Plate’s woes, with Agustín Ruberto and German Pezzella out for the season due to major injuries. Pity Martinez, Enzo Perez, and Maximiliano Meza are nearing returns but won’t feature in this match.

These absences could impact the team’s structure and strategy, forcing Gallardo to rely on a reshuffled line-up and potentially adopt more conservative tactics to offset these key losses.

River Plate Tactics and Formation

Marcelo Gallardo is expected to set up his River Plate side in a 4-3-3 formation for this match against Sarmiento. This setup aims to balance attacking prowess with defensive stability, despite the key absences due to suspensions and injuries.

River Plate Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-3-3
• Key Forward: Maximiliano Salas
• Midfield Trio: Santiago Lencina, Agustin De la Cuesta, Giuliano Galoppo
• Defensive Strength: Historically strong home defense, though only one clean sheet in the last five games could cause concern.
• Notable Strategy: Gallardo’s side tends to focus on high pressing and exploiting the flanks, especially during the 61-75-minute interval when opponents might be vulnerable.

With top scorer Giuliano Galoppo spearheading the midfield and linking up with forwards Salas and Colidio, River Plate will look to capitalize on their attacking options. Expect strong wing play and high intensity, as Gallardo aims to secure a much-needed win despite a depleted squad.

Sarmiento Team Analysis

Sarmiento Recent Performance: L W W L L

Sarmiento’s recent form has been a mixed bag, with a record of L W W L L in their last five matches. They managed victories against Barracas Central and Aldosivi but fell short against Gimnasia LP, Talleres, and Deportivo Riestra. This inconsistency is reflected in their current league position, 22nd place with 12 points.

Offensively, Sarmiento has averaged 0.60 goals per game in these matches, which isn’t particularly impressive. Defensively, they have managed to keep two clean sheets, indicating some stability at the back. However, their defense has also been vulnerable, conceding an average of 2.00 goals per match.

With Facundo Sava at the helm, Sarmiento will need to tighten up defensively and be more clinical in front of goal if they are to put up a fight against a strong River Plate side.

Sarmiento Key Players

Sarmiento will rely heavily on several key players to navigate their challenging match against River Plate. Joaquin Ardaiz, the team’s top scorer with three goals, will be pivotal in their attack. His ability to find the back of the net could provide the offensive spark Sarmiento needs.

In midfield, Jonatan Gomez stands out as a vital cog, likely to link defense and attack while trying to disrupt River Plate’s play. The experience and defensive solidity of Facundo Roncaglia will be crucial in managing River Plate’s potent attacking threats.

Expected lineup for Sarmiento:

• Goalkeeper: Lucas Acosta
• Defenders: Alex Vigo, Facundo Roncaglia, Juan Manuel Insaurralde, Joel Godoy
• Midfielders: Jonatan Gomez, Carlos Villalba, Elian Gimenez, Yair Arismendi
• Forwards: Julian Contrera, Ivan Morales

Key individual battles to watch include Ardaiz against River Plate’s centre-backs and Roncaglia facing River Plate’s forwards. These matchups will be critical in determining Sarmiento’s ability to compete.

Sarmiento Suspensions & Injuries

Sarmiento will be missing two crucial players due to long-term injuries. Pablo Magnin and Gaston Gonzalez are both sidelined for the season due to cruciate ligament injuries. These absences could influence Sarmiento’s depth and flexibility, particularly in defensive transitions and attacking setups. Nothing disrupts a team plan more than losing key players for an extended period, and this scenario holds true for Facundo Sava’s squad.

Fortunately, there are no suspensions to deal with, allowing the remaining key players to focus solely on their performance without any disciplinary hindrances. This availability is critical against a strong opponent like River Plate, giving Sarmiento the chance to field one of their best possible lineups for the clash.

Sarmiento Tactics and Formation

Facundo Sava is expected to deploy his Sarmiento side in a 4-4-2 formation for their match against River Plate. This classic setup aims to provide defensive solidity while maintaining two forwards for potential counter-attacks.

Sarmiento Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-4-2
• Key Forward: Joaquin Ardaiz
• Midfield Four: Jonatan Gomez, Carlos Villalba, Elian Gimenez, Yair Arismendi
• Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games indicates some defensive resilience.
• Notable Strategy: Emphasis on counter-attacks and maintaining a compact defensive shape, especially focusing on disrupting River Plate’s midfield dominance.

Sarmiento will likely rely on midfield dynamism and quick transitions to catch River Plate off-guard. They will aim to absorb pressure and strike on the break, utilizing the pace and finishing ability of their forwards, particularly Joaquin Ardaiz. Key defensive efforts will be needed to handle River Plate’s attacking threats.

River Plate vs Sarmiento Head-to-Head Statistics

Over their last five encounters, River Plate have enjoyed a dominant record against Sarmiento. River Plate have come out on top in three of those matches, most notably including a decisive 7-0 victory in the Copa de la Liga Profesional in May 2022. Sarmiento managed to secure a solitary win, a 2-1 triumph back in July 2022.

Their most recent meeting ended in a 1-1 draw in April 2025, showing that Sarmiento can still pose a threat. Given the historical dominance of River Plate and their strong home performances, they will aim to continue their superior head-to-head record in this upcoming fixture.

These results illustrate River Plate’s overall advantage, making them the favourites in the upcoming clash despite their recent form struggles.

Odds accurate as of 10.10.2025 23:16, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.