River Plate sit atop Copa Libertadores Group D going into the final day of the group stage. The Argentines have taken nine points from 15 possible and will fancy their chances of ending the group with a win.
Brazil's Fluminense are second with eight points from 15 possible and could overtake their Argentine group rivals with a win on Tuesday night. The reverse fixture between the teams was a close affair with the match ending 1-1.
River Plate’s Montiel scored a penalty in the 13th minute but Fluminense’s Fred equalised on 66 minutes. Matchday 6’s encounter should be similarly close between the two teams.
Copa Libertadores Group D could end with any one of three teams progressing as group winners. River Plate are currently first while Fluminense are in second and one point back. Third place is occupied by Colombia’s Junior.
Junior are on six points and could be the big winners on matchday 6. If they defeat fourth-place Santa Fe, they could top the group and move onto the knockout rounds as Group D winner.
Fluminense are in the offseason from the Serie A. They recently wrapped up the Rio State Tournament after losing to Flamengo. The Rio club have struggled in defence in the Copa Libertadores group stage conceding six times. They have only tallied seven goals in response.
Fluminense are on a run of 10 matches without keeping a clean sheet. The defence has struggled and progress in the Copa Libertadores could be halted due to an inability to keep out goals.
Ageless striker Fred has scored four goals during the group stage for Fluminense. He has been in great form and scored in the first meeting between these teams. River Plate’s scoring has been shared by teammates but Julian Alvarez has bagged two goals for the team.
River Plate have been hit hard by positive COVID-19 tests and will likely have a very similar small squad for the game. Against Santa Fe on matchday 5, River Plate had no available goalkeepers and fielded midfielder Enzo Perez in goal.
Perez may be able to play in the outfield. Depending on the players available for Tuesday night’s game, River Plate could struggle against a far stronger Copa Libertadores opponents such as Fluminense.
The Brazilians’ defence has been suspected in their last 10 games. They should let in a goal and fall to defeat versus River Plate. Their progression may depend on the result of Santa Fe versus Junior.