The first leg of the Copa Libertadores 2025 Round of 16 between Libertad (Paraguay) and River Plate (Argentina) will take place on August 15 at the Tigo La Huerta Stadium in Asuncion. Libertad vs. River Plate: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Libertad
The club finished the group stage in second place, collecting nine points and trailing Sao Paulo by five points. Libertad has not secured a win in their last four Copa Libertadores matches (3 draws, 1 loss). Additionally, in 7 out of their last 10 matches in this tournament, the Paraguayan team has not scored more than one goal. It's worth noting that the team has reached the Copa Libertadores playoffs only twice in the last five seasons, and they have not advanced beyond the Round of 16 during this period.
During the summer, the club parted ways with forward Adrian Alcaraz and loaned out defender Tomas Gutierrez. Meanwhile, they have added defender Robert Rojas and midfielders Jorge Recalde and Hugo Fernandez to their squad.
- Paraguayans have not lost in regular time in 13 of their last 17 home matches in the Copa Libertadores (8 wins, 5 draws).
- The club's players have scored in 17 of their last 18 home matches in this tournament.
- Teams have scored exactly 2 or 3 goals in regular time in 9 of Libertad's last 10 home matches in the Copa Libertadores.
Predicted lineup for Libertad (4-5-1)
Rodrigo Morinigo – Robert Rojas, Diego Viera, Nestor Gimenez, Matias Espinosa – Joaquin Bogarin, Alvaro Campuzano, Marcelo Fernandez, Lucas Sanabria, Ivan Franco – Gustavo Aguilar.
River Plate
The Argentinians confidently won their group, collecting 12 points and remaining unbeaten. River Plate's unbeaten streak in the Copa Libertadores stands at seven matches (3 wins, 4 draws). However, the team has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four matches in this tournament. Notably, the club has reached the Copa Libertadores playoffs for the fifth consecutive season, but they have only advanced past the Round of 16 twice during this period.
During the summer transfer window, the club signed midfielders Matias Galarza and Juan Quintero, as well as forward Maximiliano Salas.
- The team has not lost in regular time in 8 of their last 9 away matches in the Copa Libertadores (5 wins, 3 draws).
- The club's players have scored exactly 1 or 2 times in 11 of their last 13 away matches in this tournament.
- The Argentinians have conceded in regular time in 6 of their last 8 away matches in the Copa Libertadores.
Predicted lineup for River Plate (4-4-2)
Franco Armani – Gonzalo Montiel, German Pezzella, Lautaro Rivero, Marcos Acuña – Kevin Castaño, Enzo Perez, Matias Galarza, Santiago Lencina – Miguel Borja, Facundo Colidio.
Defender Lucas Martinez Quarta, as well as forwards Maximiliano Salas and Sebastian Driussi, are injured.
Referee
Wilton Sampaio (Brazil)
Matches – 6 (International matches, 2025);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 25;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.2;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 20;
Penalties – 33%.
Match Prediction: Libertad vs. River Plate
At home, the Paraguayans aim to play boldly, dedicating a lot of time to attack. Scoring is rarely an issue for Libertad: in their last 18 home matches in the Copa Libertadores, the team has failed to score only once. However, the club's defense is not always reliable: in 9 of their last 11 home matches in this tournament, the Paraguayans have not kept a clean sheet.
River Plate performs effectively on the international stage even in away games: in their last 13 away matches in the Copa Libertadores, the team has left the field without scoring only once. However, maintaining a solid defense is not always their strength: in 13 of their last 16 away matches in the Copa Libertadores, the Argentinians have allowed their opponents to score.
I anticipate effective play from both opponents in this encounter. Therefore, my prediction: Both teams to score – yes
* The starting lineup for each team is based on their previous match.
