FIFA Club World Cup: River Plate vs. Urawa Reds – Preview, lineups, our tips

Group E gets started on Wednesday morning (in Australia) and fans will instantly be treated to a fascinating clash between River Plate — who many consider one of South America’s best chances — and Japan’s five-time champions Urawa Red Diamonds, who are contesting their fourth FIFA Club World Cup.

Here’s the Sporting Base’s guide and insights for this all-important Group E match-up.

How to watch

• When: Wednesday, 5am (AEST)
• Where: Lumen Field, Seattle
• Watch Every Game Free On DAZN By Clicking Here

Expected lineups

• River Plate (4-3-3): Armani, Montiel, Martínez Quarta, Díaz, Acuña, Castaño, Pérez, Fernández, Mastantuono, Driussi, Colidio
• Urawa Red Diamonds (4-2-3-1): Nishikawa, Ishihara, Boza, Høibråten, Ogiwara, Yasui, Gustafson, Kaneko, Watanabe, Savio, Matsuo

River Plate vs. Urawa Reds prediction

River Plate should have the ascendancy in this Group E contest, especially considering their fans have been pouring into the U.S. over the last week to barrack loudly, pack out the stadiums, and push their favourite team into a title challenge.

The toughest egg to crack for Marcelo Gallardo’s ever-present Argentinian challengers (they are currently second in Group B of the in-progress Primera Division) will be just how strong the Urawa Reds can be at the back. Boasting a perfect structure as well as commanding Swedish centre back Marius Høibråten, Japan’s reps can be a puzzle to unlock.

To do the job, River Plate will look to Enzo Pérez and Kevin Castaño, building from deep — Gallardo has turned to them regularly in 2025 so far to serve up chances on a platter.

Finishing them off will be Facundo Colidio, who should start at 9 for the Argentines.

Keep eyes on 17-year-old starlet Franco Mastantuono too; he’s off to Madrid after the Club World Cup.

Urawa have it in their locker to score too, but with River Plate very likely starting World Cup champions Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuña on their defensive flanks and skipper Franco Armani — also a world champion from the 2022 campaign — between the sticks, it’s long odds the Argentine outfit will be breached through 90 minutes.

The only reason that may change is if the Red Diamonds’ attacking midfielder Ryōma Watanabe gets warmed up; he’s already got six goals and an assist playing from the middle of the park in 17 appearances in Japan’s top league.

All up though, the Argentine giants will beat their Japanese rivals and shoot for first in Group E.

• Our prediction: River Plate 3–1 Urawa Red Diamonds
• Goalscorer tip: Franco Mastantuono
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