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Inter Milan vs River Plate Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction

Date: June 26, 2025 Venue: Lumen Field Kickoff Time: 03:00 Inter Milan, an Italian powerhouse, has been going through a challenging period after finishing the 2024/25 season without any trophies. The Nerazzurri entered the FIFA Club World Cup following a heavy defeat to French giants Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final, which seems to have significantly impacted their performances. Therefore, it is crucial for Milan to find a way to reset and approach this final match with the same determination that has brought them success in the past. River Plate, on the other hand, have put themselves in a great position to advance into the last 16, which offers a huge reward on a financial level. The Argentine giants will look to feed off the energy from their passionate fans and give off a performance that will not only make them proud but also see them earn another important victory and remain unbeaten ahead of facing their next opponent.

Marc Strydom
Marc Strydom

Last updated: 2025-06-24

Chad Nagel

8 minutes read

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Facundo Colidio #11 celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025

Facundo Colidio/Getty Images

The Lumen Stadium will host a marquee clash between two clubs that will be out to finish the group stages on a high note, as underperforming Inter Milan lock horns with a confident River Plate, who reign supreme from the famous capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, on June 26, 2025. With excitement building and anticipation in the air, sports bettors can visit the best football betting sites to analyse both teams, seeking out the best value before placing a bet.

Pre-Game Odds & Win Probability

  1. INTER MILAN: 4/5 (1.8) – 55.7%

  2. DRAW: 76/25 (4.04) – 24.8%

  3. RIVER PLATE: 351/100 (4.51) – 22.1%
    Odds courtesy of 1XBet, subject to change.

Head-To-Head Record

Another exciting first-ever meeting awaits as Inter Milan and River Plate clash on this global stage.

Inter Milan Current Form - DLWDW

Cristian Chivu, who recently replaced Simone Inzaghi as Inter Milan’s head coach, has had a tough start to life in the famous blue and black colours of Milan. Chivu spent many years with the Nerazzurri during his playing days and has been backed by the Inter hierarchy to inject new life into his team. However, this is easier said than done, as going through managerial changes takes time to reach a standard where everyone is on the same page and in sync with each other. 

That said, Milan were stunned on matchday 1, sharing the points after a lacklustre performance in a 1-1 draw against Mexican side Monterrey. It was a match many would have expected Inter to come away victorious, especially as they dominated all areas of that encounter, but it was still not enough, as this rebuilding phase continues to hinder progress. 

Following that dismal display, Urawa Red Diamonds put the Nerazzurri under immense pressure for most parts of the match, but two late goals by Lautaro Martinez and Valentin Carboni secured the victory, putting them in a positive position to book their ticket into the last 16. This will be a decisive matchup against River Plate in this final fixture, which could bring the best out of Milan after recording their first win of the tournament. 

Key Players To Watch

Lautaro Martinez: Martinez, often referred to as "El Toro," is more than just a goalscorer. He is excellent at holding up the ball and linking play with his teammates. His ability to play both as a lone striker and alongside another forward showcases his adaptability. Furthermore, the 2022 World Cup champion is adept at finding space and making smart runs to evade defenders. His ability to read the game and position himself effectively makes him a constant threat. 

Nicolo Barella: Barella's blend of technical prowess, tactical intelligence, and tireless work ethic makes him a crucial player for Inter Milan. He is known for his excellent ball control, dribbling, and precise passing. His technical skills allow him to dictate the tempo of the game and make crucial plays. The Italian’s understanding of the game and tactical awareness is exceptional, often making the right runs and positioning himself effectively to support both defence and attack. 

Kristjan Asllani: Asllani often operates in a deep-lying playmaker role, where he can dictate the tempo of the game from a deeper position. He is highly skilled with both feet, which allows him to be versatile in his passing and dribbling. His technical abilities make him adept at maintaining possession and creating opportunities for his teammates. 

Inter Milan Team News

Inter are looking to add depth to their squad in this transfer window and are reportedly working on a deal to bring in Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund and rising talent Ange-Yoane Bonny from Parma after Angel Correa and Marko Arnautovic have left the Nerazzurri. Hakan Calhanoglu is another player to mention, making headlines and attracting interest from Turkish champions Galatasaray. There has been direct contact with Canhanoglu and his representatives; however, there is no official offer on the table yet.

River Plate Current Form - LWDWW

Argentine native Marcelo Gallardo has almost 500 games under his belt as the manager of River Plate over two spells and is regarded as one of the most successful managers in South American football. Gallardo has a distinct and effective coaching style that focuses on an attacking style of play, high pressing and quick transitions. While his team is very attack-minded, Gallardo also ensures they are defensively solid and well-organised in the back, making them difficult to break down. 

River Plate were in total control against Urawa Red Diamonds on matchday 1. The Millionaires got off to a strong start after Facundo Colidio scored the opening goal in the 12th minute, giving them a slight lead at half-time. Coming back after the half-time break, Gallardo’s men displayed their attacking prowess, scoring another two goals to secure a comfortable 3-1 victory. Monterrey was the next assignment on matchday 2, which they approached with the same mindset and confidence, allowing them to maintain their identity as a devastating attacking team. However, River had to settle for a draw after a cagey affair, which sees them top Group E on goal difference. This final match will be the toughest matchup of the three fixtures, which River will need to be fully focused on if they aim for another positive result.

Key Players To Watch

Franco Mastantuono: Mastantuono is an exciting young talent in football, known for his versatility and technical skills. He excels in ball control and one-on-one duels, making him a formidable presence in the final third. His ability to cut inside and connect with teammates through quick combinations is a standout feature. He is very effective in front of goal, consistently creating chances and scoring. He ranks among the top wingers in the Argentine league for goals and assists. 

Facundo Colidio: Colidio's blend of technical skill, versatility, and work ethic makes him a valuable asset to the team. His vision and creativity are standout features, allowing him to deliver key passes and assists. Colidio's ability to read the game and make intelligent decisions contributes significantly to his team's offensive play. He also shows great composure in the final third and is clinical in front of goal, which has seen him hit the back of the net already in this tournament.

Marcos Acuna: Acuna is a solid defender, known for his tackling, positioning, and ability to read the game. He is effective at intercepting passes and breaking up opposition attacks. His ability to deliver accurate crosses and passes makes him a valuable asset in creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. These qualities have seen him provide two assists already, adding to his all-around game.

River Plate Team News

River Plate have been active in the transfer market, aiming to strengthen their squad after welcoming Kevin Castano, Rodrigo Villagra, and Franco Paredes, while Matias Rojas and Gonzalo Tapia joined on free transfers. Notable departures include Pablo Solari's transfer to Spartak Moscow and highly rated Franco Mastantuono, who will make his way to Spanish giants Real Madrid after the FIFA Club World Cup.

Predicted Line-Up

  1. Inter Milan: 3-5-2
    Y. Sommer, B. Pavard, S. De Vrij, A. Bastoni, M. Darmian, N. Barella, K. Asllani, H. Mkhitaryan, F. Dimarco, M. Thuram, L. Martinez 

  2. River Plate: 4-3-3
    F. Armani, G. Montiel, L.M Quarta, P. Diaz, M. Acuna, I. Fernandez, E. Perez, G. Galoppo, F. Mastantuono, M. Meza, F. Colidio, 

Suggested Bets

New players can also boost their bets by claiming a welcome bonus before wagering on these exciting markets.

  1. Total (Over 2.5): This final match will determine which team tops the group, leading both sides to compete fiercely for the victory.4/5 (1.80) with Betway

  2. Both Teams To Score (Yes): Both teams are well-equipped to apply serious pressure with their quality attacks, which will lead to goals being scored, as the winner will gain an advantage heading into the round of 16. 69/100 (1.69) with 1xBet.

  3. Team 2 To Score Goal 1: Inter Milan has struggled defensively, often conceding goals due to their mistakes and uncertainty. Get on at 83/50 (2.66) with Betwinner.

Value Bets

Before placing these bets, it’s important to review the betting rules for each market to understand how they’re paid out

  1. Player Assist – Regular Time (Franco Mastantuono): Mastantuono is a top talent who is very good with the ball at his feet and knows how to pick out a pass, especially in the final third. 11/2 (6.5) with 1Win.

  2. Exact Goals (4): Not the easiest prediction to make, but very rewarding if it comes in, given the great odds on offer. 4/1 (5.0) with Stake.

  3. River Plate To Score In Both Halves: Marcelo Gallardo will demand that his players be relentless and work tirelessly, as he is known for his attacking style of play. 4/1 (5.0) with Bettilt.

Prediction: River Plate Win/Draw 

This fixture will be extremely entertaining and will provide fans with end-to-end action as both teams will want to walk away victorious. Inter Milan is regarded as the stronger team between the two, but they have not shown this throughout the previous games, while River Plate have displayed real intent and determination, which could see them earn a draw or snatch the victory and top Group E en route to the Round of 16.

Marc Strydom
Marc StrydomSports Writer

Marc Strydom is a dedicated sports lover with a wealth of experience in the sports betting industry, mostly as a Chief Editor of a sports betting publication in South Africa. While Marc’s enthusiasm covers many sports, football and NBA are his favourites. His articles feature on multiple top-rated platforms, covering a wide range of topics.

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