River's possession and Sarmiento's direct football should make this a contest over where the next ball lands. The visitors can stretch the home block through their fullbacks and connect with runners inside. Sarmiento have a route around the first pressure through Ayala's long distribution, so territory alone will not describe the balance of the match.
Montiel and Acuña provide River's width, with Correa and Andrada helping connect the attack centrally. Sarmiento allowed substantial chances against Belgrano and conceded a corner header immediately after taking the lead at Aldosivi. River's repeated deliveries and box arrivals give them a clear way to test that defending.
At the other end, Ayala's kick to Elián Giménez, Rentería's first-time connection and Marabel's volley against Aldosivi showed how quickly Sarmiento can reach goal. Their chances against Estudiantes LP and Belgrano also show that a small share of possession can still produce useful attacks. The crucial contest is the receiving touch around Otamendi, Martínez Quarta and Vera, rather than simply the first header.
The listed long-term absences were already missing from the previous squads. River's expected Almada return adds a central receiving option to an existing supply route. Current previews retain Rentería alongside Marabel, making their recent connection part of the projected home attack rather than a confirmed starting arrangement.
I expect River to work around the block while Sarmiento look for direct exits and support around the next ball. River conceded after building leads against Banfield and Rivadavia, with much of the opposition's chance creation coming after the interval. That gives the home reply substance beyond River's latest clean sheet. I'm backing Sarmiento and River Plate to each find the net.
