Ten years after the last face to face but after more than 50 years, in the Copa Libertadores, Universitario and River Plate return to face each other, having already faced each other several times, but, indeed, in the past, in the top continental competition. This is the first match of Group B, which also includes Independiente and Barcelona SC. The match will be played in the prodigious Monumental U stadium in Lima, which has already brought successes to the home team in the championship, which, at home, has only won in this start of the Peruvian Liga. So many goals, for now, from Universitario de Deportes in this start of the season but, for now, no striker who stands out and goals distributed among the various players of the team. If Universitario has started its championship more than well, the same can be said of River Plate, third in the Apertura tournament. If for the Peruvians, for now, attack shines, for River, instead, last 2-2 with Rosario aside (where Gallardo's team created much more than their opponents) the defense that stood out was led, between the posts, by the expert Franco Armani who, until the last match, had always performed in an excellent manner. It will therefore be, perhaps, a sparkling attack by Universitario against the experience and compactness of the River Plate defense but we are still in the early stages of the year and the first ever of this historic competition, therefore, much will still be discovered.

Universitario's Shape and Key Stats

Universitario de Deportes has started the Peruvian championship in which it is the champion: 4 wins and 1 draw in the first 5 games are an eloquent balance. In particular, as anticipated, the Cremas, are unleashed in attack, where they have already scored 13 goals in these 5 initial games for an average of 2.6 goals per game.

At Monumental U, Universitario has won in the championship for 13 consecutive matches but lost the last one played in the Copa Libertadores, in May of last year against Botafogo. In general, Universitario, has lost only 1 of the last 21 home games.

River Plate's Shape and Key Statistics

Despite the 2 goals conceded in the last 2-2 draw against Rosario, River Plate boasts an excellent defensive record in this start of the Argentine Championship: only 5 goals conceded in the first 11 games. River Plate's latest record reads 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat.

Pay attention to River Plate's statistics in the Copa Libertadores: the heavy 3-0 suffered in the semifinals last year by Atletico Mineiro, remains the only KO in the last 12 matches of the competition.

Prediction Universitario - River Plate and Tactical Analysis

The champions of Peru have started their championship great and aim to go further than they did last year in the Copa where, River Plate, was a great protagonist but with the bitterness of the semifinal loss. For Millonarios, this first away game, against a very confident opponent, is dangerous and, potentially, could also be a struggle. On Thursday night, the solidity of River Plate that we wrote about could come out, just as Universitario, at home, has every chance to show maturity. Combining these elements, the BetMines prediction algorithm sees a match with less than three total goals as more likely: Under 2.5.

• The prediction of the BetMines algorithm for the Universitario – River Plate match predicts an Over 2.5 goals at 46%
• The prediction of the BetMines algorithm for the Universitario – River Plate match predicts an Under 2.5 goals at 54%

Universitario – River Plate Predicted lineups

Universitario (5-3-2): Britos, Corzo, Riveros, Inga, Polo, Murrugarra; Carabali, Concha, Costa; Flores, Churin. Coach: Bustos

River Plate (4-2-3-1): Armani; Bustos, Martinez Quarta, Diaz, Acuna; Aliendo, Perez; Meza, Mastantuono, Colidio; Driussi. Coach: Gallardo