Boca Juniors and River Plate meet on Saturday for one of world soccer’s biggest fixtures at club level — the Superclasico. The hosts beat their visitors last time out in the Copa de la Liga earlier this season with Edinson Cavani playing a key role. River won home and away en route to the league title as Boca faded out of Copa Libertadores qualification but both are nine points adrift before this one. Marcelo Gallardo is back as head coach after Martin Demichelis was sacked but results have not yet picked up despite an unbeaten run and some standout Copa Libertadores results. Boca are sluggish again and were knocked out of the Copa Sudamericana recently by Brazilin side Cruzeiro and also lost last time out against Racing Club. Although this is a key league game and a huge derby, it is also between the two legs of River’s Copa Libertadores quarterfinal which is the priority as much as a Bombonera win would be appreciated.
Here’s our storylines, how you can watch the match and more:
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How to watch and odds
- Date: Saturday, September 21 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: La Bombonera – Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Watch: Paramount+ | Stream: Golazo Sports Network
- Odds: Boca +138; Draw +200; River +220
League standings
These two are ninth and 10th respectively and on 21 points from 14 games. It is not where either were expected to be which adds to the stakes as neither side can afford to lose. Ny defeat this weekend will likely end any hopes of a title pursuit.
Team news
Boca: Diego Martinez has returned Edinson Cavani to the squad post-injury with the Uruguayan out of action since mid-August in the Copa Sudamericana. Kevin Zenon has also made the cut after an ankle issue suffered against Racing and he could feature for the hosts.
Possible Boca XI: Sergio Romero, Luis Advincula, Cristian Lema, Marcos Rojo, Lautaro Blanco, Cristian Medina, Ignacio Miramon, Pol Fernandez, Kevin Zenon, Edinson Cavani, Miguel Merentiel.
River: With much to consider, Gallardo could ring the changes ahead of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinal return leg against Colo-Colo. It is his first Boca-River since returning as River’s head coach and he will be mindful of Matias Kranevitter, Fabricio Bustos and Maximiliano Meza’s fitness after recent knocks with the first two mor likely to feature than the latter. Physically, River are struggling at present and that shows it a tricky run of form which has seen the team drop points fairly regularly.
Possible River XI: Franco Armani, Milton Casco, Federico Gattoni, Paulo Diaz, Enzo Diaz, Rodrigo Villagra, Nicolas Fonseca, Franco Mastantuono, Manuel Lanzini, Facundo Colidio, Adam Bareiro.
Prediction
Boc should be slight favorites given River’s focus being elsewhere. However, River are unbeaten in 10 and have not given up on the league title just yet. A score draw sounds about right but do not be shocked if Boca edge it. Pick: Boca 1, River 1.
