Inter Milan v River Plate: Club World Cup preview

River Plate and Inter Milan lead the way in Club World Cup Group E heading into the final round of games, but neither side are assured of a place in the knockout stages.

Both sides have won one and drawn one, but will be only too aware that they can be eliminated if Monterrey beat Urawa Red Diamonds in their final game and the result at Lumen Field, Seattle does not go their way.

Beaten UEFA Champions League finalists Inter have the slight advantage of having scored against Monterrey, meaning that any draw would be enough to see them through to the last-16, while River know a win or a 2-2 draw or higher would see them progress.

Inter Milan v River Plate betting preview

Nerazzurri dealing with changes

Not only have Inter Milan got a 5-0 drubbing to PSG in the UEFA Champions League final to move on from, but they have also seen head coach Simone Inzaghi depart to be replaced by Cristian Chivu.

Perhaps it is not too surprising then that they have struggled to get going in the United States, having been held to a 1-1 draw with Monterrey before needing a last-minute winner to defeat Urawa 2-1.

Skipper Lautaro Martinez scored in both of those games and remains the inspiration for his side, having now netted in three of his last four appearances in all competitions - he is 2.40 to score at anytime against his fellow Argentinians on Thursday.

Dutch wing-back Denzel Dumfries is close to full fitness after sitting out the first two games, but he is an unlikely starter, meaning that either Matteo Darmian of Luis Henrique is set to feature on the right flank.

Yann Bisseck, Hakan Calhanoglu, Benjamin Pavard and Piotr Zielinski are all definitely ruled out, while Davide Frattesi and Marcus Thuram are reported to be doubts for the Lumen Field showdown.

Head coach Chivu knows that a draw - priced at 3.00 - will be enough to see the Nerazzurri squeeze through, but playing for such a result represents a major danger and going for the win seems like a safer option.

Suspensions make it tough for River

River head coach Marcelo Gallardo has three players suspended for this crunch clash in Seattle, with Kevin Castano banned after being sent off in the goalless draw with Monterrey last time out.

Both Enzo Perez and Giuliano Galoppo were cautioned in that feisty clash with the Mexican side, while they were also shown yellow cards in the 3-1 win over Urawa, so have to sit out the clash with the Nerazzurri.

River are in the difficult situation of knowing that a 0-0 or 1-1 draw might not be enough to see them qualify for the knockout stages, but a 2-2 draw or higher, or indeed a win, would be.

With that in mind Gallardo is likely to send his side out with a positive mindset and he will be hoping for some attacking inspiration from teenage star Franco Mastantuono.

The 17-year-old is set to move to Real Madrid when he turns 18 in August and will no doubt want to leave River on a high, having scored in five of his last nine appearances heading into the Club World Cup.

Mastantuono has yet to find the net in the USA, but is 4.00 to do so against Inter, while he is 2.60 to either score or assist.

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Inter Milan v River Plate odds

Inter Milan - 2.30
Draw - 3.00
River Plate - 3.60

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.