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Kick off: Sunday, 20 December @10:30 GMT
Venue: Nissan Stadium (Yokohama)
Head to head record
No past meetings
River Plate vs Barcelona prediction
Champions League winners Barcelona will be looking to clinch yet another prestigious trophy when they take on River Plate in the FIFA Club World Cup final at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama. The Catalan giants are regarded as favourites to emerge triumphant in the title game, but Luis Enrique should warn his men against complacency.
Uphill task for River Plate
River Plate did remarkably well to win the Copa Libertadores trophy earlier in 2015, with the team crushing Mexican side Tigres in the title game. As a result, los Millonarios booked their place at the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup and thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 win over Hiroshima the Argentine side set up a meeting with Barcelona in the final of the tournament. Marcelo Gallardo’s men surely face an uphill task in Sunday’s game against the Champions League winners and, no doubt, the Argentine team will adopt a defence-minded approach against Barca. It has to be noted that River Plate won the International Cup trophy back in 1986, with the team beating Steaua in the title game, but beating the star-studded Catalan outfit is easier said than done. Lucas Nicolas Alario scored the winner in the FIFA Club World Cup semis against Hiroshima and he is widely expected to lead the attack for the hosts against Barcelona.
Reports in Argentina suggest that Lucho Gonzalez should be recalled to the starting line-up, but coach Marcelo Gallardo is unlikely to make too many changes to the team that faced Hiroshima in the semis. The coach might switch to the 4-2-3-1 formation.
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Messi, Neymar back!
Barcelona failed to impress in the FIFA Club World Cup semis against Guangzhou, but it has to be noted that Luis Enrique could not count on key attackers Leo Messi and Neymar for the clash. Luis Suarez took advantage of the situation, with the controversial Uruguayan attacker scoring a hat-trick against the Chinese side (3-0). Suarez has become the first player to score a hat-trick at the FIFA Club World Cup and, no doubt, he will pose a big threat for River Plate defenders on Sunday afternoon. The good news for the fans is that both Leo Messi and Neymar should recover in time to face the Argentine side and all eyes will be on the attacking trio when the two teams take on each other at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama. Barcelona won the FIFA Club World Cup titles in 2009 and 2011, with the team beating Estudiantes and Santos respectively in the title games. You should have in mind that Barca are unbeaten in 15 matches in all competitions.
Both Neymar and Messi should be fit to play against River Plate, while Rafinha and Douglas remain in the recovery room. Munir and Sergi Roberto are both likely to drop to the bench.
Quick Facts
- Under 2.5 goals were scored in four of River’s previous five matches
- Los Millonarios are eyeing their first ever FIFA Club World Cup trophy
- In their last meeting with a Spanish side River Plate recorded a 1-0 win over Sevilla
- Barcelona have netted at least two goals in 9 of their previous 11 fixtures
- Luis Enrique’s men have kept four clean sheets in last six away games
- Barca demolished Santos 4-0 in the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup final
River Plate vs Barcelona betting tip
Seeing that Luis Enrique welcomes Neymar and Leo Messi back to the starting line-up, I believe that Barcelona should look much sharper in front of goal in Sunday’s game against River Plate. The Catalan giants are superior to the Copa Libertadores winners at the moment and I believe that they will bring home yet another major trophy. When Barca defeated Santos in the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup final Leo Messi scored a brace for the la Liga side and he should help the Champions League title holders beat River Plate in the Nissan Stadium clash.
Tip: Barcelona/Barcelona
Odds: 1.55 (5/9) at Unibet
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