Torneo Final Big Match preview: River Plate v Colón

 

Having lost their 100% record last weekend in the clásico defeat to San Lorenzo, Ramón Diaz's River Plate will be itching to set the record straight as they welcome  the struggling Sabaleros to the Monumental. Ed Malyon takes a look...

 

"Like every year, our aim is to be champions" said Ramón Diaz in January ahead of the Torneo Final season, but as a club that had only recently returned from a  humiliating year in the second tier, many expected River to once again fall short despite the wealth of high-quality players at the club.

 

Say it quietly, but the former Oxford United boss seems to have got things right, and at this - undeniably early - stage of the season, River are one point off leaders  Lanús and look in good shape to at least challenge for the championship this season.

 

That many of theirs and Lanús' rivals will be playing in the Copa Libertadores is undoubtedly of great assistance, but River have been unusually sensible in the off- season, addressing their weaknesses from the Torneo Inicial and looking to sell where possible.

 

They failed to flog their most valuable assets, but bought well in the shape of Leonel Vangioni to occupy the left of their 3-4-1-2 and Juan Manuel Iturbe to bolster  their attack.

 

David Trezeguet and Rodrigo Mora remain, and Mora can be the best forward in the division on his day as he has shown in the big games last season against archrivals  Boca Juniors in particular.

 

Colón's season has started in a completely opposite fashion, with a thrashing by Lanús opening up their campaign before three disappointing results against some fairly  ordinary opposition.

 

On paper, their strike partnership of Emmanuel Gigliotti and Ruben Ramirez should do great things in this division, with both players proven goalscorers in the  Argentine league. Yet it has proven difficult to get both on the pitch at the same time, and even more difficult to get them firing, with Ramirez not even in the  starting lineup recently.

 

Starlet Lucas Mugni was chased by top European clubs in January, but Colón held onto him. Whether their current dire performances are helping his development is  questionable, but it will be an interesting test of his resolve and desire to see if he steps up to the plate in the coming weeks as things get increasingly difficult  for the Santafesinos.

 

Match odds

 

River are unsurprisingly favourites, and if anything 1.88 seems a bit generous. They have been mightily impressive this season, particularly going forward,  and at home they will be very difficult to beat.

 

Colón's form gives absolutely no support to backing them, and it's a straight forward home win choice here.

 

Goals

 

There is not much of a trend to spot with River, as half of their games have gone over 2.5 goals and the other half have gone under, while for Colón it's just one of  three that have gone low.

 

The odds of 1.66 for under 2.5 suggest that we're in for a low-scoring encounter, which puts a considerable amount of faith in Colón's ability to keep out  this River attack.

 

Lanús hit a visiting Colón for four on the opening day, and River are of a similar standard, so the value certainly lies in going over the line at 2.3.

 

Other bets

 

With River expected to dominate this game, a 3.15 price of River to be winning at both half time and full time initially seems fairly generous, but they've  only been leading at the break in one of their three wins this season.

 

The handicap isn't overly tempting with the straight win a comfortable backing price, but there is an appetising shot of 18.5 on River to win 3-0 in what I'm  expecting to be a fairly easy home win.

 

Best bet: River Plate to win @ 1.88

Other bets: Over 2.5 goals @ 2.3

 

Bet HERE

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