Torneo TransiciГіn Preview: River Plate rightful favourites for intriguing Superclasico

River vs Boca is one of the biggest games on the planet

The biggest derby game in world football is this weekend as league leaders River Plate host hated arch rivals Boca Juniors. Ed Malyon is here to talk you through it...

River Plate v Boca Juniors
Sunday 21:15

Quite simply, it doesn't get any bigger.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona has undoubtedly more money involved and more visibility on the global stage, but as far as footballing rivalries go, nothing comes close to River-Boca. Nothing touches the Superclasico.

They were two clubs born out of the bustling dockside areas of Buenos Aires until a yellow fever epidemic forced River Plate - who got their name from the side of a British shipping container - into the wealthy northern suburbs of the capital. Boca stayed true to their roots in the southern docks and over the years their rivalry has intensified due to a combination of class war, battles for success and the snowball effect of some infamous personal rivalries. 

The two clubs remain the most successful and popular in the country despite a somewhat barren run in recent years, although River Plate finally put their humiliating 2011 relegation behind them this June by winning the Torneo Final - Boca finishing behind them in second. 

However due to a disagreement with the club hierarchy, coach Ramn Daz walked out on the champions and was replaced by former Monaco and River playmaker Marcelo Gallardo. The Uruguayan coach was somewhat of a gamble, still young and fairly inexperienced, but has even further improved the Millionarios and they once more sit top of the table going into this weekend's Superclasico.   

The most impressive thing about Gallardo's River has been their flowing attacking play. A frontline of World Cup star Teo Gutierrez and Uruguayan Rodrigo Mora is the same as last year, but the creativity of the side has improved infinitely with the signing of playmaker Leonardo Pisculichi and he operates in front of a balanced midfield that has been perfectly anchored by young Matas Kranevitter.

Such has been the 21-year-old's form that he earned himself an Argentina call-up until he picked up an injury in the recent thumping of Independiente. A worry for his manager will be that since the starlet - considered the heir to Javier Mascherano - has been out, his side have failed to win a game - drawing twice. 

But they still sit pretty at the top of the league and boast the best attack and defence. 

Boca have struggled, but eventually took the brave (and overdue) decision to dispense with the services of legendary coach Carlos Bianchi. His replacement, Rodolfo Arruabarrena, showed great potential at Tigre and has historic links with the club but has inherited one of the worst squads to play at La Bombonera in years. 

That said, he has also been freed of the shadow of Juan Romn Riquelme, who left for Argentinos Juniors in the off-season. This has allowed the new coach to play a shape without being shackled to a traditional number 10, and results since El Vasco returned to the club have greatly improved.

Even with their upturn in form, they will be up against it at the Monumental, where their hosts have been unstoppable. For perspective, River have played nine this season and remain unbeaten. They have scored 21 goals in those matches - the most in the league - while conceding just five - the least in the league. The mathematicians among you will have worked out that their goal difference is therefore +16, which when you consider that second-placed Independiente's is +2, helps give a picture of their dominance this season. 

Quite simply, they have been irresistible. And despite the dip since Kranevitter's injury there is every reason to think they can do the job in the biggest game of their season. Arruabarrena's Boca will have their moment one day, but they remain a work in progress and you fear they could be blown away by Gallardo's flowing River. 

Recommended Bet
Back River at 1.784/5

Godoy Cruz v Independiente
Tuesday 00:30

Godoy Cruz were always going to struggle this season after losing their manager and best players in the off-season. 

It was their own fault though, with senior club figures looking to capitalise on the lack of any realistic threat of relegation (due to league restructuring) and save a quick buck.

The evident sporting consequence of this is that they have picked up just six points this season, and now they must host the league's form outfit, Independiente. 

El Rojo are flying at the moment, with five wins from their last six. They are the only team to find the net at River Plate's El Monumental stadium and held the buccaneering leaders to a well-earned draw. In Federico Mancuello they have one of the league's most effective frontmen and their price is far too big to bring three points back from Mendoza on Monday night.

Recommended Bet
Back Independiente at 2.89/5