Against All Odds: Goals to flow at River

Can River defend their crown?

Paul Robinson got the three goals he needed in Argentina last night and he's looking to follow up with the same bet in tonight's clash between River Plate and Rosario Central.

River Plate v Rosario Central
Sunday August 17, 22:15 BST
Available on Betfair Live Video  

Reigning champions, River Plate, began their title defence with a 1-1 draw at Gimnasia La Plata and they will be hopeful of recording their first victory of the campaign back on home soil this evening. The hosts were excellent in front of their own fans last term as they won nine of their 10 fixtures at El Monumental.

Those successes came under the guidance of Ramon Diaz and the new man in charge, Marcelo Gallardo, has plenty to live up to. The Argentine knows plenty about the club though having made 262 appearances in three spells at Los Millonarios and they were the better side at Gimnasia last week.

Given that this is his first home league match as manager, I expect him to send his men out to attack and create a good impression. River finished the year with 3-2 and 5-0 wins at home last semester and they are certainly capable of sustaining those kind of scorelines this time around.

Rosario Central won't be a tough nut to crack though and after getting themselves back into the top flight a couple of years ago, they are showing the signs of becoming a title contender. 'El Canalla' finished 10th and eighth over the two terms last season and they have opened up this one with a 3-1 success over Quilmes. 

Tonight represents a bit of an acid test for Miguel Angel Russo's men but they will certainly be up for the challenge. Rosario scored in seven of nine away fixtures last term and that helped five of them finish with over 2.5 goals. That included two five goal games - a 3-2 win at Atletico Rafaela and a 4-1 defeat at Velez Sarsfield.

We may be pushing our luck going for goals in two successive matches in this country but this game just feels like a potential high-scoring affair. Backed up by recent statistics as well, with under 2.5 goals trading at around the 1.625/8 mark, I have to make it my lay of the day.

Recommended Bet
Lay Under 2.5 goals in River Plate v Rosario Central @ 1.625/8

2014 P/L (1pt each bet)

Wagered: 219 pts
Returned: 225.52 pts
P/L: + 6.52 pts (after commission)
(2013 P/L: + 3.80 pts)
(2012 P/L: + 9.60 pts)