Ind. Rivadavia vs River Plate Prediction & Betting Tips (3 March)

Independiente Rivadavia’s clash with River Plate in the Liga Profesional at the Estadio Juan Bautista Gargantini arrives with a surprising balance of power. The hosts have adapted quickly to top-flight demands and come into this fixture riding a confident run, while River, traditionally one of Argentina’s dominant forces, are still searching for rhythm after a mixed start to the year. Recent weeks have seen Independiente Rivadavia grind out results and show resilience in tight games, including a composed 2-1 home performance that underlined their growing belief against established opponents.

Form-wise, Independiente Rivadavia have pieced together an impressive sequence: a narrow 0-1 defeat to Belgrano was followed by a 0-1 away win over Estudiantes de Río Cuarto, then home victories of 2-1 against Sarmiento and 2-1 versus Atlético Tucumán, plus a 1-2 success away to Huracán. That run highlights a side comfortable both soaking up pressure and striking decisively on transitions. In the last couple of months, the narrative around them has shifted from survival to genuine competitiveness, and their recent displays—mirroring the intensity seen before fixtures like the one linked through this 1-0 preview—suggest they will not be intimidated by River’s badge.

River Plate, meanwhile, arrive with a more uneven storyline. They recently beat Ciudad de Bolívar 1-0 and Gimnasia La Plata 2-0 at home, but those positives are offset by a heavy 1-4 loss to Tigre and a 1-0 defeat away to Argentinos Juniors, plus a goalless draw at Rosario Central. Off the pitch, news in the last couple of months has focused on key absences, with defenders like Germán Pezzella sidelined by a cruciate ligament injury and other squad members dealing with muscle and knee problems, forcing constant reshuffles. Their fluctuating form, contrasted with the steadier arc seen before games such as the one referenced by this 2-0 link, raises questions about how assertive they can be in Mendoza.

All of this points toward a tense, tactical encounter rather than a free-flowing spectacle. Independiente Rivadavia have shown they can manage tight scorelines and protect a lead, while River’s recent away outings suggest a more cautious approach, especially given their injuries and the pressure not to slip further behind in the table. Their most recent head-to-head in October 2025 finished level, reinforcing the idea that margins between these sides are slim. With both coaches likely to prioritize defensive structure and risk management, our view is that the game may ultimately be defined by missed half-chances and disciplined back lines, making a correct score of 0-0 a realistic and compelling predict