River Plate should spend longer on the ball at the Mario Alberto Kempes, while Belgrano have a shorter route through their central attacking pair. River's advancing fullbacks help create chances and leave space for the next attack behind them. Belgrano's recent clean sheets have included substantial work for their goalkeeper, so the scorelines alone give an incomplete picture of their defending.
Almada's pass for Montiel's equaliser at Sarmiento shows how River can reach the area through a runner. Correa also forced four saves in that match. Against this Belgrano block, the inside receiver and Montiel's arrival are the key connections for Sanchez, Vazquez and Sporle to track.
Belgrano bring their own working combination. Passerini supplied Zelarayan's opener at Racing, and Zelarayan then created Vazquez's goal. River conceded at Sarmiento from a low delivery and a central arrival, which gives that home connection a specific opening to attack. Belgrano also showed a different route against Talleres, turning a defended corner into the transition that produced their winner.
The reported Belgrano selection retains the Racing outfield group, with Cardozo expected to replace Vicentini in goal. River's practice reports retain Almada, Correa and Montiel while pointing to changes around them. Acuna remains a reported selection doubt despite travelling; Ortega created a chance during his recent substitute appearance. Moreno's possible return changes the holding-midfield personnel, with his recent competitive minutes still limited.
I expect River's longer spells of pressure to meet Belgrano's quicker combinations and supporting runs, with substitutions adding another route later in the match. River have recently conceded replies after taking the lead, and Belgrano's bench helped build the decisive transition against Talleres. That's why I'm backing Belgrano and River Plate to each find the net: the case comes from how their attacks connect against these particular defensive gaps.
