Inter Milan vs River Plate: Club World Cup Match Preview, Odds & Predictions

On Wednesday, at Lumen Field, River Plate and Inter Milan will square off in a thrilling match for first place in Group E. Both teams now have four points.

Inter, who finished second in the Champions League, finally won their match against Urawa Red Diamonds after extra time, while their South American opponents are still in first place after a draw with Monterrey on the second matchday.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

Inter, led by Cristian Chivu, secured victory in their second match against Monterrey and Urawa Red Diamonds. The Serie A giants were caught off guard by Ryoma Watanabe's 11th-minute goal, but Lautaro Martinez equalized the score, and two replacements scored a spectacular winner. Inter now stands two points ahead of Monterrey and four ahead of eliminated Urawa, and they were projected to finish first in their group. A draw would guarantee a spot in the round of 16, while a victory would solidify their position in the tournament.

If Group E were to finish first, Borussia Dortmund would face an enticing semifinal matchup. River Plate, like Nerazzurri, is in control of its destiny as it sits atop Group E, just ahead of Nerazzurri due to a superior goal differential. River Plate's offensive flair was unable to match Inter's against Monterrey, who managed 0.13 Expected Goals (xG) and had 18 shots.

Marcelo Gallardo's squad knows they will advance with a victory or a tie, and even a defeat would be enough to secure advancement if Monterrey loses to Urawa in their final group-stage encounter. River has been doing well, dropping just one of their past nineteen matches, but their lone encounter with an Italian team ended in defeat, a 1-0 loss to Juventus in the 1996 Intercontinental Cup final.

Inter Milan vs River Plate Team News

Concerning Inter's injury situation, the following players will not play against Urawa: Hakan Calhanoglu (thigh), Denzel Dumfries (muscle), Davide Frattesi (muscle), Marcus Thuram (flexor), Piotr Zielinski (calf), Benjamin Pavard (unspecified), and Yann Bisseck (thigh).

However, according to reports, Dumfries, Calhanoglu, and Frattesi will all be back in time for the last match in Seattle, while the other players are being held out for the knockout round if Inter goes that far.

With Thuram still out with an injury, Francesco's elder brother Sebastiano Esposito is likely to keep leading the line, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Alessandro Bastoni are returning to Chivu as well.

With three key players banned for this crucial encounter—Kevin Castano, Enzo Perez, and Giuliano Galoppo—discipline will compel Gallardo to make significant midfield changes.

Monterrey saw Castano sent off for two yellow cards, while Perez and Galoppo both earned their second bookings of the competition, leading to one-game suspensions.

Therefore, Gallardo will have to revamp his midfield completely; however, Mastantuono, who is anticipated to keep his customary position on the right, will likely leave for Real Madrid.

Our Predictions

Inter win @ 2.10 on Sky247.ng

River Plate should have a two-point lead over Inter in Group E, but they let a goal-scoring opportunity slip away against Monterrey, and they aren't looking good heading into their last group match.

The chance to reclaim first place is firmly in the Nerazzurri's grasp, with Gallardo being forced to reorganize his whole midfield and Inter about to reacquire multiple key players.

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