Estadio José Amalfitani will witness Valez Sarsfield take on River Plate in their first leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16 on Thurday. Kickoffs at 03:30 EAT.
The hosts progressed to this stage after side they sealed a second-place finish in Group C to book their place in the knockouts. However, Velez Sarsfield has only managed one win in four Argentina Primera Division matches since advancing to the last-16 of the Copa Libertadores.
Vélez Sarsfield prepare for this fixture off the back off 1-1 Superliga tie with Defensa y Justicia in their last match. In that game, Vélez Sarsfield had 57% possession, seven shots with two of them on target and a goal scored by Nicolás Garayalde (90′). Defensa y Justicia got 11 shots with two of them on target and a goal by Nicolás Emanuel Fernández (88′).
River Plate’s route Copa Libertadores knockout rounds was smooth sailing, as the four-time champions scored 18 goals, conceded three and dropped just two points on the way to sit at the top of Group F. The visitors are one of only three sides to make it through to the last-16 without losing a game, alongside Palmeiras and Flamengo.
River Plate will want another win following 2-1 Superliga success to beat Lanús in their previous match. In that game, River Plate had 57% possession, 12 shots with four of them on target and goals scored by José Paradela (26′) and Braian Romero (33′). Lanús got six shots with three of them on target and a goal by Lautaro Acosta (35′).
Velez Sarsfield vs. River Plate head to head
Since 2003 these two sides have had 30 head to head encounters. Velez Sarsfield has won 11 times, River Plate 10 times and nine matches played out draws.
- River Plate 0-0 Velez Sarsfield 06/02/22
- River Plate 2-0 Velez Sarsfield 15/08/21
- River Plate 1-2 Velez Sarsfield 23/09/19
- Velez Sarsfield 1-2 River Plate 04/02/19
- Velez Sarsfield 1-0 River Plate 25/02/18
Home
- Defensa Justicia 1-1 Velez Sarsfield
- Velez Sarsfield 2-0 Rosario Central
- Racing 2-0 Velez Sarsfield
- Velez Sarsfield 0-1 Platense
- Velez Sarsfield 1-0 Independiente Riv.
Away
- River Plate 2-1 Lanus
- Union Santa Fe 1-5 River Plate
- Colon Santa Fe 1-0 River Plate
- River Plate 0-0 Atletico Tucuman
- Defensa Justicia 0-0 River Plate
Velez Sarsfield team news
The duo of Diego Godín and Lautaro Giannetti are unavailable for gaffer Alexander Medina’s selection through injuries.
Prediction and odds
River Plate had made a recent habit of winning one then losing one against Velez Sarsfield, but their most recent encounter ended in a comfortable 2-0 success for the visitors back in August.
- River Plate Win
- Draw
- Goals over 2.5
