Inter Milan vs River Plate predictions: Goals could be scarce in Seattle
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- Fewer than three goals have been scored in three of River Plate's last four matches
- A draw could see both teams through if Monterrey fail to beat Urawa convincingly
- Recommended Bet: Back Under 2.5 Goals
Inter Milan and River Plate meet at Lumen Field in Seattle on Wednesday night in a Group E game that will decide who advances to the Club World Cup round of 16.
This clash of unbeaten clubs features an Inter side that opened with a 1-1 draw against Monterrey before coming from behind to beat Urawa Reds 2-1 in Seattle last time out.
River Plate followed up their 3-1 victory over the J-League side with a 0-0 draw against Monterrey in which they finished the game with 10 men.
Los Millonarios top the group on goal difference so know a draw will be enough to see them through no matter what happens in Monterrey's match.
Cristian Chivu's men cannot be certain that a draw would seal their passage to the knockouts because a big win for the Mexicans would see them leapfrog the Nerazzurri into second place.
Team news
Inter are expected to show a handful of changes from the side that started against Urawa Reds.
Denzel Dumfries has recovered to full fitness but an appearance off the bench is more likely than a start at right wing-back.
Federico Dimarco is expected to start on the left with Nicolo Barella, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Kristjan Asllani in the engine room.
Marcus Thuram is pushing for inclusion alongside Lautaro Martinez up front, but Yann Bisseck, Benjamin Pavard and Piotr Zielinski remain sidelined.
As for River Plate, Kevin Castano is suspended after seeing red against Monterrey and fellow midfielders Enzo Perez and Giuliano Galoppo are also banned for this contest.
Coach Marcelo Gallardo could recall Rodrigo Aliendro, Santiago Simon or Mathias Kranevitter to play alongside Maxi Meza in midfield or change his formation entirely and deploy five at the back.
Sebastian Driussi has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament after suffering an ankle injury against Urawa Reds.
The stats
River Plate have not lost in 90 minutes in their last 20 matches across all competitions.
Both teams have scored in eight of River Plate's last 10 matches.
There have been 17 fouls on average in River Plate's Club World Cup games while Inter's matches average 10 fouls per game.
Prediction
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With knockout qualification on the line, expect both managers to prioritise structure and discipline over any ambition to chase victory.
River know a draw will suffice while Inter will be hoping for positive news from the Monterrey match, which kicks off concurrently.
The clash could begin cagily and hinge on which team keeps their nerve when their opponents create some pressure.
Just as in Inter's two previous matches at the tournament, goalscoring chances are likely to be at a premium once more.
And the uneven nature of the Lumen Field pitch, which has seen the artificial surface overlaid with turf, could prevent either team from settling in what is likely to be a nervy occasion.
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