River Plate vs Monterrey Preview, Prediction, Standings: 22/6/2025

River Plate opened their 2025 Club World Cup campaign with an impressive 3‑1 win over Urawa Red Diamonds. They now prepare to face CF Monterrey in Group E, following a month-long tournament featuring 32 teams across the U.S.

Group E features River Plate, CF Monterrey, Inter Milan, and Urawa Red Diamonds. The top two teams will advance to the Round of 16—so every match carries significant weight.

River Plate riding momentum

River Plate delivered a controlled and clinical performance against Urawa in Seattle. Facundo Colidio headed home from a Marcos Acuña cross in the first half, and early in the second half Sebastian Driussi doubled the lead—though he exited with an injury soon after. Despite a Yusuke Matsuo penalty response, Maximiliano Meza restored a comfortable two-goal advantage, converting another Acuña assist.

Under Marcelo Gallardo, the team blends effective attack with solid defense, with midfield control and wing-play key to their style. This blend makes them a strong contender in a group that includes Europe’s heavyweights .

CF Monterrey – seeking respect

Monterrey enters the game following a 1‑1 draw with Inter Milan, showing they can challenge Europe’s elite. Their squad, led by Domènec Torrent, combines physical strength with technical ability, and they navigated a tense penalty shootout win over Al Ahly to reach the tournament.

Head-to-head and historical edge

These two clubs have played twice previously, with River Plate securing a win and a draw. Their style and pedigree make them slight favorites on paper.

Key tactical matchups

River Plate’s defense and midfield control will test Monterrey’s ability to break through. Conversely, Monterrey’s resilience and ability to force errors could provide scoring chances. River Plate’s home-style cohesion and attacking balance add weight to their advantage.

Form guide and recent results

River Plate have claimed three wins, a draw and a loss from their last five matches, with their latest performance underlining strong offensive movement and defensive discipline.

Monterrey have delivered two wins, one draw and two defeats in their last five games, but the draw with Inter Milan signals potential for an upset .

Betting outlook

Odds favor River Plate, with sportsbooks estimating around 2.11 for a win, compared to roughly 3.72 for Monterrey. Given their strong form and squad stability, a River Plate win and both teams scoring seems likely—reflected in 1.85 odds for that market.

At the Rose Bowl, River Plate aim to consolidate their position atop the group with a commanding display. Monterrey will target points to stay in the chase. A strong performance here can set the tone for advancement to the knockout rounds and beyond.

Prediction

River Plate are expected to maintain momentum and exploit their tactical cohesion. Confidence is high for a River Plate win, and the most probable scoreline is a 2‑1 victory, with both teams finding the net in a competitive match-up.