Independiente Rivadavia and Fluminense meet on August 18, 2026, at 22:00 in the second leg of their Copa Libertadores tie. The contest at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza remains finely balanced after a 0-0 draw on August 11. Independiente Rivadavia are enjoying an impressive first appearance in continental competition and return home unbeaten in three official meetings with Fluminense, recording one win and two draws. The hosts have also won eight of their last ten home fixtures across all competitions. Fluminense arrive after a morale-boosting 3-2 victory over Palmeiras, but their long winless sequence away from home and the low-scoring pattern of their recent trips could make this another tightly contested encounter.

Independiente Rivadavia Recent Form and Key Statistics

Independiente Rivadavia enter the match after losing 2-0 to Belgrano on August 15. Their last five games have produced two victories, one draw and two defeats, with averages of 1.0 goal scored and 1.2 conceded. Those recent figures are more modest than their overall Copa Libertadores record, where they have remained unbeaten through seven matches with five wins and two draws. In the competition, they average 2.1 goals scored and 0.9 conceded per game.

Home form provides the main source of confidence for Alfredo Berti's team. They have won eight of their last ten matches at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, while scoring at least two goals in seven of those fixtures. Independiente Rivadavia have also found the net in each of their last 13 home games. Their starts have often been productive as well, with the team leading at half-time in six of its previous ten home matches.

However, the hosts have shown less attacking fluency in their latest run, with each of their last three games across all competitions finishing below 2.5 total goals. They were also unable to score in the first leg against Fluminense. The available season and recent-match figures therefore present two contrasting themes: Independiente Rivadavia have been consistently dangerous at home, but their most recent contests have offered fewer goals.

The home side will be without first-choice goalkeeper Ramiro Macagno, who has a thigh injury. The club also parted ways with Sebastián Villa during the transfer market. In attack, Alex Arce and Fabrizio Sartori remain important options, having scored a combined 17 goals across league and Copa Libertadores action.

Fluminense Recent Form and Key Statistics

Fluminense travel to Mendoza after defeating Palmeiras 3-2 on August 15. That result extended their unbeaten sequence across all competitions to three games. Over their last five matches, the Brazilian side have registered one win, three draws and one defeat, averaging 1.0 goal scored and 1.2 conceded. Their Copa Libertadores campaign stands at two victories, three draws and two losses, with averages of exactly 1.0 goal scored and 1.0 conceded.

The visitors' away record is the clearest concern. Fluminense have gone nine matches without an away victory, and they failed to score two or more goals in any of those fixtures. Their last nine away games have all ended with fewer than 2.5 total goals. The same restrained pattern is visible specifically in Copa Libertadores: their previous ten away matches in the tournament stayed under 3.5 goals, while all ten also produced fewer than 1.5 first-half goals.

Defensive reliability has helped Fluminense remain competitive, with only two of their last nine matches finishing above 2.5 goals. Yet the difficulty of producing multiple goals away from home means that the visitors may have little margin for error in a tie that remains level. The goalless first leg reinforced the possibility of another match decided by a small number of clear opportunities.

Fluminense must manage several absences, including leading scorer John Kennedy, who is unavailable with a knee problem after recording 11 goals and two assists during the year. Interim coach Marcão can still call upon captain Thiago Silva and winger Agustín Cannobio for this decisive fixture.

Independiente Rivadavia vs Fluminense Match Analysis

The first leg offers the most direct indication of how close this Copa Libertadores tie could be. Neither side scored in the 0-0 draw, leaving everything to be settled in Mendoza. The broader head-to-head record also favors a balanced interpretation: Independiente Rivadavia have one win and two draws from three meetings, averaging 1.0 goal scored and 0.7 conceded against Fluminense.

The statistical comparison gives the home team an advantage in Copa Libertadores performance. Independiente Rivadavia have five wins and remain undefeated in the competition, whereas Fluminense have two wins from seven games. The supplied match probabilities nevertheless underline the uncertainty, assigning 37% to an Independiente Rivadavia victory, 29% to a draw and 33% to a Fluminense win.

Goals data points more clearly toward a controlled contest. The probability of under 2.5 goals is 58%, compared with 42% for over 2.5. Both Teams To Score is almost evenly divided, with No at 51% and Yes at 49%. Independiente Rivadavia's long scoring run at home must be respected, but it is balanced by three consecutive matches below 2.5 goals. Fluminense, meanwhile, have recorded nine straight away fixtures under that threshold and have repeatedly struggled to score more than once on their travels.

Discipline may also influence the rhythm of the game. Five of Fluminense's last six matches have gone above 4.5 cards, as have two of the previous three meetings between these teams. That record suggests a physical contest with frequent interruptions, although the available goal trends remain the stronger basis for assessing the likely shape of the match. With the tie level and recent away fixtures involving Fluminense consistently producing limited scoring, another narrow outcome appears coherent with the supplied evidence.

Independiente Rivadavia vs Fluminense prediction from BetMines: Under 2.5 goals with 58% probability.