River Plate vs Palmeiras Prediction: Millonarios seek first-leg advantage in Copa Libertadores quarterfinal

River Plate vs Palmeiras: Prediction and odds on the Match on 18 September 2025

River Plate welcomes the Brazilian sensation to the iconic Estadio Monumental for the decisive first leg of their Copa Libertadores 2025 Quarterfinal clash, knowing this is the moment they have to get it right. River Plate, unbeaten in their last 12, advanced past Libertad in penalties after an aggregate 1-1 draw across both legs. In their domestic league, they are on fire with no losses in Group B of the Liga Profesional de Futbol, sitting pretty at the top of the league. 

Palmeiras, however, are no strangers to this stage. A true force in South American football, they arrive in Argentina unbeaten in their last seven across all competitions. Their round of 16 tie was way too easy, brushing aside Universitario with a commanding 4-0 aggregate win.

Both teams carry momentum, and we might have one of the biggest games so far in the Libertadores on our shoulders. We envisage goals from both teams. Check the team conditions! Several betting options are available.

River Plate: form and statistics

Form in all competitions: WWWDD

River Plate is consistent this season. They are in red-hot form and unbeaten in their last 12 games across all competitions, with seven wins and five draws. They lead the Liga Profesional de Futbol Group B with 5 wins, 3 draws, and no losses from the newly commenced league. Interestingly, Los Millonarios have conceded only five goals in the league, with 16 goals to the good. Estudiantes was a strong opponent in their last league game, but River Plate stood tall and victorious with a 1-2 victory, thanks to early goals from Galoppo and Fernandes. 

In the Copa Libertadores, Los Millonarios finished strong in Group B with an unbeaten record throughout the group stage. They won 3 games and drew three from the six group games played, scoring the most goals in Group B (13) and conceding 7. Their round of 16 tie was tough, as they edged past Libertad on penalties after a tight 1-1 draw across both legs. The first-leg against Libertad ended in a frustrating goalless draw, despite River’s relentless push for a breakthrough, but they eventually got a breakthrough on penalties in the return fixture. 

River Plate: Lineup

It is expected that River Plate will set out in a 4-3-3 Diamond formation that is well balanced between defense and attack. Coach Marcelo Gallardo is without Germán Pezzella due to injury, but his replacement, Maxi Salas, is available. A major problem for Marcelo Gallardo has been his long list of injured players, which has constantly grown thin over the past few weeks as more players recover. 

Player to watch out for: Miguel Borja 

32-year-old forward Miguel Borja is the team's current top scorer in the league with 13 goals to his name. He also has one goal tally in the Copa Libertadores and will be hoping to increase that number on Thursday. 

🔖River Plate starting lineup (4-2-3-1)

Armani – Bustos, Quarta, Paulo Diaz, Casco – Juan Portillo, Kevin Castano, – Ian Subiabre, Quintero, Santiago Lencina – Maximiliano Salas

⛔️Out: Agustin Ruberto, German Pezzella, Max Meza (injured)

👤Head Coach: Marcelo Gallardo

Palmeiras: form and statistics

Form in all competitions: WDWDW

Palmeiras have been nothing short of exceptional in this year’s Copa Libertadores, cruising through the competition with seven wins and a draw from their eight games so far. Their form hasn’t dipped elsewhere either; unbeaten in their last seven matches across all competitions, with five victories and two draws.

In the Brasileirão, they’ve been good as well, sitting in second place with 14 wins, four draws, and only two defeats from 21 league outings. A top-four finish is already almost guaranteed, meaning their ticket to next season’s Libertadores is 70% secured. Their last league game against Internacional was a walkover, putting 4 goals past Internacional with a Vitor Roque hat-trick in a game that eventually ended in a 4-1 scoreline.

In the Copa Libertadores, they finished top of Group G with an unbeaten record throughout the competition. Six solid victories in six group games in the Libertadores group stage for Palmeiras was a feat we never saw coming. They sealed their qualification to the quarterfinals in the first leg of their round of 16 game against Universitario, where they eased past their opponents by a 0-4 scoreline. The return leg ended in a goalless draw. 

Palmeiras: Probable Lineup

Coach Abel Ferreira rested some of his key players for this key encounter and only has a few injured players to worry about. Vitor Roque is the man for the moment, and Abel will be relying on his expertise to guide Palmeiras to victory. 

Player to watch out for: Vitor Roque 

20-year-old Vitor Roque is the team's current top scorer in the Copa Libertadores with a total of 8 goals in the continental competition. He is currently valued at 21M Euros, and his creativity on the ball is very valuable to the team. 

🔖Club Libertad starting lineup (4-2-3-1)

Weverton – Khellven, Gómez, Murilo, Piquerez – Moreno Lucas Evangelista, Moreno – Felipe Anderson, Jose López, Facundo Torres– Vitor Roque

⛔️Out: Paulinho, Figuiredo (injured)

👤Head Coach: Abel Ferreira

River Plate vs Palmeiras: head to head statistics

The teams met twice in the 2020/21 Copa Libertadores semi-finals, and Palmeiras won that game by a 3-2 aggregate score. A 0-3 victory in the first leg for Palmeiras, and a 0-2 away win for River Plate in the return leg. Palmeiras ended up as the winners of the Copa Libertadores that year. 

River Plate vs Palmeiras: Betting Tips & Odds

• Three consecutive wins for River Plate in their last three games across all competitions, and the option for River Plate to win is offered on the 1xBet bookmaker website for odds of 2.52;
• No losses for Palmeiras in their last 7 games as well, and the option for Palmeiras to win or draw this game is offered on the Bet365 bookmaker website for odds of 1.52;
• There has been a minimum of two goals in their last two meetings, and this option is offered in the Bet365 bookmaker at 2.01 odds;

River Plate vs Palmeiras match prediction 18 September 2025

This clash has all the makings of a cracker. River Plate is unbeaten in their last 12 games across all competitions, while Palmeiras carries their own momentum with a 7-game unbeaten streak. The last time they met at this stage, the game was a very tough one that produced goals, but it eventually ended in favor of Palmeiras. River Plate will try their best to avoid a defeat at the hands of Palmeiras at home, while Palmeiras will aim to uphold their 7-game unbeaten run. We should see a highly offensive game, and I believe River Plate will not leave this game without a goal.

Our match prediction is a total of over 4 corners for Palmeiras for a coefficient of 1.80 in the 1xBet bookmaker.

Our betting tip on the match is a win or draw for Palmeiras and a total of under 3.5 goals for a coefficient of 1.78 in the Betway bookmaker.

Lastly, both teams to score for 2.09 odds in the Bet365 bookmaker.