River Plate vs. Monterrey Prediction – FIFA Club World Cup (June 21, 2025)
Ole ole ole! Soccer (or football, sorry to the UK) fans rejoice; another exciting game is happening tomorrow when River Plate and Monterrey meet at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. Kickoff is at 9 p.m. ET, so get ready for a footie battle.
River is in a good groove after winning 3–1 against Urawa, and Monterrey scored a stunner of a goal to draw 1–1 with Inter Milan.
Both teams are on track to advance to the next round, but this matchup will decide who finishes top of the group, and who gets a higher-ranked opponent in the Round of 16.
Keep scrolling to see all of the important factors, what the betting odds have to say about it, and what we think are the best bets!
Match Details
- Matchup: River Plate vs. Monterrey
- Date & Time: Saturday, June 21, at 9:00 pm ET (6:00 pm PT)
- Venue: Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California
- Broadcast/Streaming (US): TBS/truTV & DAZN; International: DAZN globally (FIFA sublicenses in various regions)
- Tournament Context: Group E of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup (32-team format)
Current Betting Odds
Thinking about putting some bucks on this one? Here are the latest odds and lines according to ESPN BET:
Moneyline (3-way)
- River Plate: +105
- Draw: +240
- Monterrey: +240
Spread
- River Plate –0.5 (EVEN)
- Monterrey +0.5 (–135)
Over/Under
- Over 2.5 (-105)
- Under 2.5 (-125)
Team Form & Recent Results
How have River Plate and Monterrey been playing recently? Look below for the stats!
River Plate
- Opened with a 3–1 win over Urawa; Colidio, Driussi, and Meza each scored
- Controlled the tempo with quick ball recovery and direct play in the final third
- They’re old hats in high-level knockout matches and are seldom exposed in transition against weaker opposition
- 16-year-old Mastantuono is not only attracting scouts but dictates the pace and space in midfield; he created multiple entry passes into the box
Monterrey
- Drew 1–1 with Inter Milan; Ramos scored off a sick set piece
- Cut off passing lanes and forced Inter to play through crowded midfield zones
- Coach Torrent’s setup stayed compact between the lines and absorbed pressure without having to chase the ball
- Limited forward progression and disrupted Inter’s timing around the box
Head‑to‑Head Dynamics
- The teams have played each other twice in the last two years; River won 1–0 in 2023, and they played to a 1–1 draw in 2024.
- Neither match opened up very much. Both were slow-paced, and most of the play was stuck in the midfield.
- The lost recent match is fresh in both camps minds, so we’re thinking it’ll be a more measured first 45 minutes that’s focused on midfield control and closing off openings in the back line.
Tactical Battles & Lineups
What’s happening in the tactical battles and lineups? Look below!
River Plate
- Hard to contain in transition with fullbacks pushing forward and several scoring options
- The midfield left too much space vs. Urawa; Gallardo may change up the personnel or drop one line deeper
- The big question: does he pull a forward back to help in buildup, or double down on pressure up top?
Monterrey
- Uses three center backs and a compact midfield to keep play up front
- Prevented Inter Milan from playing through central channels by closing off early passing options
- Could bring an extra midfielder into the starting XI to counter River’s width
Main Areas to Watch
- Midfield control: who recovers loose balls and forces resets
- River’s wide pressure vs. Monterrey’s ability to hold their defensive line
- Set pieces: both teams have converted recently, but Monterrey defends them much more aggressively
Our Recommended Best Bets
Ready for our best bets? Here are the three we think are worth considering along with a bonus lean!
1. Both Teams to Score (BTTS – Yes)
- Odds: Around -120
- Our Confidence Level: ★★★★☆
Why Do We Like It?
- River scored three goals against Urawa with chances coming from both flanks and central overloads.
- Monterrey broke through Inter Milan’s back line and created four shots inside the penalty area.
- River’s aggressive press leaves space between lines; Monterrey’s midfield has enough control to exploit that.
- This isn’t a throwaway match; Monterrey needs a result, and River doesn’t play passive even when they’re ahead.
2. Draw (Full-Time Result)
- Odds: +240 to +260
- Our Confidence Level: ★★★★☆
Why Do We Like It?
- Monterrey’s 1–1 draw vs. Inter wasn’t a one-off; they absorbed pressure, forced play wide, and limited shot quality.
- River could slow the tempo after the 60th minute if group advancement is already in sight.
- Recent history backs this bet: the two played to a 1–1 draw last year and a 1–0 River win the year before, and both were slow-starting matches.
- Neither team is likely to throw numbers forward late if the match is even.
3. Over 2.5 Total Goals
- Odds: +115
- Our Confidence Level: ★★★☆☆
Why Do We Like It?
- River scored three in their last match, with chances from open play, counters, and a set piece.
- Monterrey has aerial threats and midfielders who step into shooting lanes, so this won’t be a one-sided attack.
- The pace River plays with tends to stretch games out by the second half.
- If one side scores early, it could open up quickly if Monterrey has to chase.
Optional Lean: Facundo Colidio Anytime Goalscorer
- Odds: +230 to +280 (varies)
Why We Think It’s Worth a Look:
- Scored River’s opener against Urawa and has consistently found pockets behind the back line.
- Gets service from Driussi and Mastantuono in tight channels, and he’s not goal-dependent on counters.
- If River earns multiple set pieces or second-phase chances, he’ll be near the end of them.
Wrap-Up: Can Monterrey Hold the Giants Again?
Our Final Score Prediction: River Plate 2 – 2 Monterrey
River Plate looked absolutely ruthless against Urawa and won’t be holding back here. They can hit from multiple angles, and their front three isn’t built to slow down. But Monterrey has already taken out one heavyweight in this tournament, and they didn’t need the ball to do it. Inter Milan had more of everything and still couldn’t break them down.
We feel like this game could come down to execution in tight areas. River creates chances really fast after turnovers, and Monterrey doesn’t leave a lot of room between lines. If it’s still level after 60 minutes? You can bet your bippy that both sides will slow the pace and wait for a mistake. A draw works for River, and if Monterrey keeps it close into the final 20 minutes, they’ll back themselves to steal something on a set piece or second-ball chance.
Best value bets recap:
- Both Teams to Score (High Confidence)
- Draw ML (Value + Tactical Fit)
- Over 2.5 Goals (Riskier, but a solid upside if it pans out)
Remember to always bet responsibly and gamble within your means.
