River Plate — Sarmiento Junin : Match Preview and Prediction for October 13,2025

River Plate in Crisis: Recent Form

It’s an undeniable fact: River Plate is currently navigating a period of significant difficulty. Their recent form speaks volumes, with five defeats in their last six matches, including a disheartening three consecutive losses in the league. The recent 1-2 stumble against Rosario Central has only compounded their woes.

Squad Depletions Due to International Duty

However, before succumbing to panic, it’s crucial to delve into the underlying reasons for this slump. The recent international break has severely depleted the ‘Millionaires’ squad. Coach Marcelo Gallardo finds himself without almost his entire primary defensive line, as Gonzalo Montiel, Lautaro Rivero, and Marcos Acuña are away on international duty with the Argentine national team. Adding to these absences are vital midfield and attacking players such as Kevin Castaño, Juan Quintero, and Matías Galarza.

Injury Woes and Suspension Impacts

Further complicating matters are the lingering injuries to Enzo Pérez and Gonzalo ‘Pity’ Martínez, who are yet to regain their optimal match fitness. Compounding this is the suspension of key defender Juan Portillo. The cumulative effect is a team forced to field an experimental lineup, which inevitably impacts their offensive capabilities. A narrow 1-0 cup victory over Racing and a single goal against Rosario appear to be the current ceiling for this weakened attack.

Sarmiento Junin’s Struggle for Survival

Sarmiento Junin is a team currently fighting tooth and nail to avoid relegation. They find themselves entrenched in the lower half of the league table, where every single point is invaluable. Unfortunately for them, accumulating points, and more significantly, scoring goals, has proven to be a considerable challenge, particularly in recent times.

Offensive Weakness and Recent Form

The team heads into the ‘Monumental’ match on the back of two consecutive defeats, failing to register a single goal in either encounter. Losses to Gimnasia (0-1) and Talleres (0-1) starkly underscore their attacking deficiencies. Overall, their season statistics are disheartening, averaging a mere 0.8 goals per game.

Away Game Defensive Focus

Sarmiento’s performances on the road are particularly concerning. Consider this striking statistic: in seven of their last eight away matches, a maximum of two goals were scored in total. This isn’t a mere coincidence; it’s a clear pattern for a team that prioritizes defense when playing away and rarely manages to create significant scoring opportunities.