River Plate wrap up a successful Copa Libertadores group-stage campaign with a home contest against Alianza Lima.
The hosts are already guaranteed to finish in top spot, while the Peruvian side cannot improve on their bottom-placed position
Match preview
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After collecting 13 points from their five group matches, River Plate are already assured of a place in the last 16 of the Copa Libertadores.
Los Millonarios opened the campaign with three consecutive victories before they were held to a 1-1 draw by Fortaleza on matchday four.
However, the Argentinian outfit responded empathically in their most recent Copa Libertadores contest, with Agustin Palavecino, Nicolas de la Cruz, David Martinez and Esequiel Barco all finding the net in a 4-0 victory over Colo Colo.
With qualification secured, River Plate may be tempted to take their foot off the gas, but there is still the motivation to finish the group stage with their unbeaten record intact.
The hosts will be confident that they can achieve a positive result on Wednesday after losing just two of their 11 competitive home games in 2022.
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Alianza Lima, meanwhile, will play their final Copa Libertadores fixture of 2022 in midweek, with the Peruvian champions stranded at the bottom of the group.
Matchday one resulted in a 1-0 home defeat to River Plate before consecutive 2-1 losses left Alianza Lima without a point after three group matches.
A 1-1 draw against Colo Colo ensured that they got on the board, but a 2-0 defeat to Fortaleza on matchday five has left them cut adrift, with six points separating them from third place.
They may already be out, but Alianza Lima will be hoping to avoid finishing the Copa Libertadores campaign without a victory.
Although they have struggled in the group phase, the Peruvian side have won four of their last five away games in all competitions, which could provide inspiration for a positive result on Wednesday.
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Team News
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Robert Rojas will miss out for the hosts through injury and the 26-year-old is expected to be joined on the sidelines by Juan Quintero and Matias Suarez.
River Plate have the option to rest players, but after thrashing Colo Colo 4-0 on matchday five, they may opt for continuity by naming an unchanged lineup.
That would result in Julian Alvarez keeping his place in the forward line, with the striker looking to grab his first Copa Libertadores goal of the season.
As for the visitors, they are still without the services of Jefferson Farfan, who remains a long-term injury absentee.
Aldair Rodriguez, meanwhile, is set to serve the final game of a five-match suspension after being sent off in the reverse fixture against River Plate.
After dropping down to the bench for the weekend league contest with Deportivo Municipal, Edgar Benitez is expected to return to the starting lineup on Wednesday.
River Plate possible starting lineup:
Centurion; Mammana, Diaz, Martinez, Casco; Fernandez, Zuculini, Palavecino; De la Cruz, Barco, Alvarez
Alianza Lima possible starting lineup:
Campos; Rojas, Vilchez, Portales, Lagos; Lavandeira, Concha, Ballon, Benitez; Aguirre, Barcos
We say: River Plate 3-1 Alianza Lima
The hosts have won both of their home group games by a combined 6-0 scoreline, and we think that River Plate will grab another home win on Wednesday when they face an Alianza Lima side that have picked up just one point in their five group matches.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Ben Sully
