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Action from the Club World Cup 2025 continues into Sunday as the world-famous Argentinian side River Plate face Mexico's Monterrey. The Rose Bowl in Pasadena provides the backdrop for a match that armchair fans hope lives up to the billing. We've witnessed some thrilling contests in the United States already; will this be another?
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River Plate got off to a dream start when they won their first match, sending them straight to the top of the pool. Can the team known as "The Millionaires" defend their spot and retain pole position? Traders working at the leading online betting apps certainly believe so, making them the pre-match favourites.
If we've learned one thing from the opening round of the Club World Cup 2025, it's to expect the unexpected. There have been more than a few upsets already, and Monterrey plans on delivering another before a global audience. The Liga MX side held on for a draw last time; will they go one better here?
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River Plate v Monterrey tips
River Plate win @ 11/10 (bet365)
No both teams to score @ 10/11 (bet365)
River Plate win to nil @ 12/5 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
River Plate serve up a winning start
River Plate is arguably the most famous team from Argentina. They've won their nation's top division a record 38 times, most recently in 2023. Despite that dominance, they ended a lowly fifth in the 2024 Argentine Primera Division, failing to win 16 of 27 games and conceding 21 goals. They qualified for this tournament as the best-ranked eligible team in the CONMEBOL four-year ranking.
Making their third appearance at the Club World Cup, River Plate entered with high expectations. Enzo Francescoli's team got off to the perfect start when hammering the Urawa Reds 3-1 on Tuesday at Lumen Field, Seattle. They were firm favourites in the pre-match betting, but few expected River Plate to record such a comfortable victory over their Japanese rivals. What had been advertised as a competitive contest ended up a one-sided affair.
River Plate took the lead early, with Colidio breaking the deadlock inside the opening dozen minutes of play. That advantage provided a launchpad for success, as Driussi doubled his employer's advantage early in the second half. The Urawa Reds briefly hit back from the penalty spot, before Meza put the game to bed with a third for River Plate in the closing stages. It was an impressive showing, but there's more to come from the Argentines.
Tip: River Plate win @ 11/10 (bet365)
Bet explanation: A win of any description for River Plate will land you a profit.
Monterrey stood firm against Milan
Monterrey is the Mexican side that finished a disappointing seventh in the regular season, before falling at the quarter-final stage of the final phase. Better was expected, meaning the Striped-Ones arrived in the United States eager to get their fans back onside. Dropped into Club World Cup 2025 Group E alongside Inter Milan, Urawa Red Diamonds, and Sunday's opponents, critics predicted a pointless campaign.
Drawn against UEFA Champions League runners-up Inter Milan on matchday one, Monterrey kicked off as the underdogs. With the betting, pundits, and many football fans expecting the worst, the Mexicans showed their fighting spirit. They held the Italian Serie A giants to a 1-1 draw in a match that was far more entertaining than the bare result suggests. With a point on the board and the confidence that comes from going toe-to-toe with such a big name, Monterrey now plan to improve again.
A Sergio Ramos goal on 25 minutes gave Monterrey an unlikely lead against Milan, which remained until Martinez brought the sides level moments before the interval. More than 40,000 fans watched as both teams missed chances to win the game. Interestingly, Monterrey had just 38% of the ball possession and scored with their only shot on target against a Milan side still finding its feet under new manager Cristian Chivu. Those stats encourage River Plate backers.
Tip: No both teams to score @ 10/11 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If one or more teams fail to score in this match, you secure a return.
River Plate will battle through
Given just how good River Plate were when bashing a decent Urawa Reds team in their opening game, I'm happy to side with the Argentines. They're fit, well organised in defence, fearless in attack, and boast big-match experience. They looked like a threat every time they crossed the halfway line in that win over their opponents from the J-League, and they'll score a few more goals before a good crowd at the Rose Bowl this weekend.
Monterrey's performance against Inter Milan was impressive, and I was one of many who expected the Italians to gift their new manager a winning start. However, Inter Milan is in a transitional period following that heavy defeat to PSG in the Champions League final and an unexpected change of leadership at the club. Let's remember Monterrey scored with their only shot on target. They played well without the ball, but weren't overly exciting in attack.
I picked River Plate to claim back-to-back wins, move onto six points, and secure their place in the knockout rounds. There's also a bet on no in the both teams to score market. The third and final bet at the Rose Bowl gives us a crack at higher odds by combining the two. You can take River Plate to win to nil as a single and hope the Argentines are as good in their second match as they were in the first.
Tip: River Plate win to nil @ 12/5 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need River Plate to win the match without conceding a goal.
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.