Independiente and River headline this Sunday the most important match of date 13 of the Liga Profesional 2024, which started on Friday and will conclude next Monday. The classic starts at 5 PM at the Libertadores de América Ricardo Enrique Bochini stadium in Avellaneda and will be officiated by Yael Falcón Pérez.
The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports, a channel that can also be tuned in online on digital platforms Flow, DGO, and Telecentro Play. Additionally, on Canchallena, minute-by-minute updates with information and statistics will be available instantly.
The team from Avellaneda is in 18th place in the standings with 15 points from three victories, six draws, and three losses. Under Julio Vaccari‘s management, the team is gradually showing a better version: they haven’t lost in the last five matches, including the notable 0-0 draw with Racing in the Avellaneda derby with two players less and a 3-0 victory against Godoy Cruz in the round of 16 of the Copa Argentina 2024.
El Rojo aims to establish itself as one of the teams to watch in the local scene and, clearly, to qualify for an international tournament for the next season. The coach, with a past in Vélez and Defensa y Justicia, spoke about the team’s current situation after the midweek victory against Tomba with a great performance: “I highlight many positive aspects from several matches. The one against Estudiantes was a tremendous match from start to finish. And in the matches we had to play with one less, against San Lorenzo and Racing, the team has been able to hold its ground very well.”
River, on the other hand, is in 12th place with 17 points (four wins, five draws, and three losses), but has accumulated four consecutive draws, the latest being against Newell’s, 0-0 at the Monumental stadium. In this context, they must win to keep pace with the teams in the upper zone.
Only this week, before the classic against Independiente, Marcelo Gallardo had a week without matches to train tactical concepts and imbue his style into a team that still doesn’t have it. The team from the Núñez neighborhood needs to improve. Despite having reinforced with quality players like Marcos Acuña and Germán Pezzella, they still owe in terms of performance level. “Argentine football has a lot of friction, a lot of physical matching; we must be up to that. Afterward, players resolve with their technical qualities,” said Gallardo after the draw with the Lepra.
Possible line-ups
Ahead of the match, the favorite to win according to betting forecasts is the visitor with a maximum odds of 2.10 against 3.65 for their loss, meaning a home victory. The draw stands at 3.15.
The historical record between the two clubs favors River with 83 victories against Independiente’s 58 in 195 encounters. There have been 54 draws. The last time they faced each other was in Liga Profesional 2023, with Millonario winning 2-0 at the Monumental with goals from Esequiel Barco and Miguel Borja.
LA NACION