River Plate vs Urawa Red Diamonds Betting Preview by SharpEdge | Club World Cup

Club World Cup

2025-06-17 - River Plate vs Urawa Red Diamonds

A Sports Betting Preview by SharpEdge

River Plate vs Urawa Red Diamonds
Football: FIFA Club World Cup � Group E opener
Tuesday, 17 June 2025 � Kickoff 12:00 p.m. PT at Lumen Field, Seattle
(neutral venue)

Introduction:

River Plate kick off their revamped Club World Cup campaign against Japanese champions Urawa Red Diamonds.

Played in Seattle, the match pits South American pedigree against disciplined Asian football, with a direct knockout ahead for the group. Both sides will want a strong start � the stakes couldn�t be clearer.

River Plate

Argentina�s giants return under Marcelo Gallardo, who rejoined in August 2024, bringing back club greats like Sebasti�n Driussi and German Pezzella, while blooding teenage forward Franco Mastantuono.

Their form is serious � dominating domestically and eyeing global silverware. They�ve avoided the injury list, though Miguel Borja, Maximiliano Meza, and Gonzalo �Pity� Mart�nez are still nursing minor knocks.

The flow of creative midfield and a clinical forward lineup suggests goals will follow, but they�ll need to control Urawa�s discipline and avoid complacency.

Urawa Red Diamonds

Asian champions Urawa haven�t set the J‑League alight this season, winning just two of their last seven, but they�re tactically sharp and focused on making an impression in the States.

Ryoma Watanabe�s return to form late in spring is a key boost. Urawa�s veteran keeper Shusaku Nishikawa has said earning at least a point is the immediate goal.

They�re disciplined, but lack the attack depth of River Plate � still, they�ll give everything for a shock.

Past Meetings

These teams have never met in any competition.

However, Urawa Red Diamonds, as the 2023 AFC Champions League winners, faced Fluminense, the CONMEBOL Libertadores champions, in December 2023 FIFA Club World Cup semi-final but were convincingly defeated 3-0.

While River Plate and Fluminense both hail from Argentina and Brazil respectively � they are countries with clubs of similar strength and playing styles - so this history highlights the competitive challenge Urawa faces against South American giants like River Plate.

The Betting Lines

Odds: River Plate 1.55, Draw 4.00, Urawa 6.00
Totals: Over 2.5 goals 1.95 / Under 2.5 goals 1.85

The Betting Verdict

River Plate have intensity, creativity, and more clinical players. Urawa will frustrate and press, but likely lack a cutting edge.

Expect River to score early and Urawa to push for a goal late, opening the game up nicely.