River Plate vs. San Martin San Juan Prediction, Match Preview, and Betting Tips, 31 August 2025

In this exciting Liga Profesional clash on 31 August 2025, league leaders River Plate are set to face San Martin San Juan. Kicking off at 23:15, this match sees River Plate looking to maintain their dominant form, having claimed top spot with 12 points from six matches.

San Martin, currently 18th in the standings with 8 points, bring a resilient defense, conceding few goals in recent matches. However, River Plate’s potent attack, averaging 2.60 goals per game in their last five outings, makes them the bookmakers’ favourite at 1.35 odds.

Despite River Plate’s attacking prowess, San Martin’s disciplined defense, with three clean sheets in their last five, could keep the game tighter than expected. Our recommended bet is to back San Martin San Juan with a +1.5 Asian Handicap.

With the weather clear and fans eagerly anticipating a thrilling contest, this match is set to be a fascinating encounter in the broader narrative of the Liga Profesional season.

River Plate vs San Martin San Juan Prediction & Betting tip

• While River Plate is the strong favourite, San Martin San Juan’s disciplined defensive approach has led to several close matches.
• San Martin San Juan has secured three clean sheets in their last five games, showcasing their ability to maintain a sturdy defense.
• Backing San Martin with a +1.5 Asian Handicap provides a safety margin, even if River Plate wins, making it a strategically sound choice.

River Plate vs San Martin San Juan Odds

The odds for this Liga Profesional clash on 31 August 2025 clearly favour River Plate. As the league leaders, they come into this match with strong form and a potent attack, making them the bookmakers’ favourite.

River Plate’s odds reflect their top standing and home advantage. However, San Martin San Juan, with their commendable defensive record, could potentially make this an interesting encounter. The draw and away win offer significant returns for those who believe in a potential upset.

Backing San Martin with a +1.5 Asian Handicap is another strategic option, providing a safer bet if San Martin manages to keep the scoreline close.

River Plate Team Analysis

River Plate Recent Performance

River Plate’s recent form has been impressive, with a record of two wins, two draws, and one win in their last five fixtures:

1. Union 0 – 0 River Plate (Penalty shoot-out: 3 – 4) – Cup
2. Lanus 1 – 1 River Plate – Clausura
3. River Plate 1 – 1 Libertad (Penalty shoot-out: 3 – 1) – Copa Libertadores Final Stage
4. River Plate 4 – 2 Godoy Cruz – Clausura
5. Libertad 0 – 0 River Plate – Copa Libertadores Final Stage
   Recent Form: DWWDW

Despite a steady stream of draws, River Plate has shown resilience and scoring capability, averaging 2.60 goals per game in their last five outings. Additionally, they have maintained a clean sheet in one of these games, demonstrating a balance between defence and attack. With the team’s depth and quality, they remain a formidable force in the Liga Profesional.

River Plate Key Players

River Plate boasts a squad filled with standout performers ready to make an impact. Their top scorer, Giuliano Galoppo, has netted 3 goals this season, showcasing his attacking prowess. He’ll be supported by a strong midfield pairing of Enzo Perez and Kevin Castano, who are crucial in dictating play.

Another key player is Maxi Salas, who, alongside Sebastian Driussi, forms a formidable forward duo. Both players are expected to stretch San Martin’s defense and create goal-scoring opportunities.

Defensively, Lucas Martinez Quarta and Franco Armani are critical for maintaining stability at the back.

Expected lineup for River Plate:

• Goalkeeper: Franco Armani
• Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Lucas Martinez Quarta, Lautaro Rivero, Marcos Acuna
• Midfielders: Giuliano Galoppo, Enzo Perez, Kevin Castano, Ignacio Fernandez
• Forwards: Maximiliano Salas, Sebastian Driussi

River Plate Suspensions & Injuries

River Plate is set to face San Martin with a few key players sidelined due to injuries, which could impact their squad depth and tactical approach:

• Agustín Ruberto: Knee injury – Potential return in 1-2 weeks.
• Maximiliano Meza: Tendon injury – Expected to return early September 2025.
• German Pezzella: Cruciate ligament injury – Out for the season.
• Fabricio Bustos: Sprained ankle – Potential return in 1-2 weeks.

These absences, especially Pezzella’s long-term injury, might shuffle Marcelo Gallardo’s defensive options, pushing other squad members to step up. Meanwhile, the midfield and attacking setup remains strong, but the defensive reshuffles could open opportunities for San Martin to exploit.

River Plate Tactics and Formation

River Plate’s tactical setup has been instrumental to their success this season. Marcelo Gallardo often deploys a 4-1-3-2 formation, focusing on a balance between offensive pressure and defensive solidity.

Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-1-3-2
• Key Forwards: Maximiliano Salas, Sebastian Driussi
• Midfield Trio: Kevin Castano, Enzo Perez, Ignacio Fernandez
• Defensive Strength: Despite a few draws, River Plate has demonstrated resilience, keeping a clean sheet in one of their last five games and averaging 2.60 goals scored per game.
• Notable Strategy: Dominant during the later stages of the first half, consistently applying pressure and often breaking down defences between the 30th and 45th minutes.

Gallardo’s side is adept at controlling the midfield, enabling their dynamic forwards to exploit gaps in the opposition’s defense. This tactical flexibility allows them to adapt to various in-game scenarios, making them a formidable opponent.

San Martin San Juan Team Analysis

San Martin San Juan Recent Performance

San Martin San Juan has shown mixed form with two wins, two draws, and one loss in their last five matches:

1. San Martin San Juan 1 – 0 Gimnasia LP – Clausura
2. Talleres 0 – 0 San Martin San Juan – Clausura
3. San Martin San Juan 0 – 1 Sarmiento – Clausura
4. Rosario Central 0 – 0 San Martin San Juan – Clausura
5. San Martin San Juan 3 – 2 Deportivo Riestra – Clausura
   Recent Form: WDLDW

San Martin San Juan’s notable defensive resilience is evident, having secured three clean sheets in their last five games. However, their attack has been less prolific, averaging just 0.80 goals per game. Their defensive solidity could be crucial in keeping River Plate at bay in the upcoming fixture.

San Martin San Juan Key Players

San Martin San Juan has several key players to watch in this upcoming match against River Plate. Horacio Tijanovich, despite being out due to an injury, remains their top scorer with 2 goals. His absence will certainly be felt, shifting more responsibility onto Ignacio Maestro Puch, who will lead the attack.

In the midfield, Pablo Garcia and Nicolas Watson are crucial for maintaining possession and linking play between defense and attack. Defensively, Luciano Recalde and Matias Borgogno will play pivotal roles in trying to contain River Plate’s potent offensive line-up.

Expected lineup for San Martin San Juan:

• Goalkeeper: Matias Borgogno
• Defenders: Ayrton Portillo, Rodrigo Caseres, Luciano Recalde, Lucas Diarte
• Midfielders: Pablo Garcia, Nicolas Watson, Santiago Salle, Sebastian Gonzalez, Marco Iacobellis
• Forward: Ignacio Maestro Puch

San Martin San Juan Suspensions & Injuries

San Martin San Juan will be missing a couple of key players due to injuries for their match against River Plate:

• Diego Gonzalez: Muscle injury – Expected to return in a few weeks.
• Horacio Tijanovich: Injury details unknown – Potential return in early September 2025.

These absences could impact their attacking potential, especially with Tijanovich being the team’s top scorer. His injury places added pressure on Ignacio Maestro Puch to provide offensive output. The midfield and defense will need to remain solid and cohesive to cover these gaps and help secure a positive result against the league leaders. Fortunately, there are no suspensions affecting their squad for this fixture.

San Martin San Juan Tactics and Formation

San Martin San Juan’s approach against River Plate will likely focus on solid defensive tactics and opportunistic counterattacks. Under the guidance of their coach, Leandro Romagnoli, they have shown a disciplined structure, often deploying a compact 4-2-3-1 formation.

Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Ignacio Maestro Puch
• Midfield Duo: Pablo Garcia, Nicolas Watson
• Defensive Strength: Secured three clean sheets in their last five games, emphasizing strong defensive cohesion.
• Notable Strategy: Rely on quick counterattacks and maintaining a solid defensive shape to frustrate River Plate’s offensive efforts.

Romagnoli’s side will aim to absorb pressure and capitalize on any mistakes by River Plate, making their defensive discipline and swift counter-attack strategy vital in this encounter.

River Plate vs San Martin San Juan Head-to-Head Statistics

River Plate and San Martin San Juan have faced off multiple times in recent years, producing some varied results. In their last five encounters:

1. San Martin San Juan 0 – 2 River Plate (2025-02-23, Liga Profesional Apertura)
2. River Plate 4 – 1 San Martin San Juan (2018-09-15, Superliga)
3. San Martin San Juan 1 – 3 River Plate (2017-09-17, Superliga)
4. San Martin San Juan 1 – 1 River Plate (2017-02-18, Club Friendlies)
5. River Plate 1 – 1 San Martin San Juan (2016-09-18, Primera Division)

River Plate has the upper hand historically, winning three out of the last five matches, with two games ending in a draw. These past results emphasize River Plate’s dominance, though San Martin San Juan has proven capable of securing draws, suggesting they can pose a challenge on their day. With River Plate in strong form, this match could be another tough test for San Martin.

Odds accurate as of 29/08/2025 23:15, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.