Inter MIlan vs. River Plate lineups, team news, score prediction: Nerazzurri set for Dumfries boost

Inter Milan take on River Plate in Seattle with top spot in FIFA Club World Cup Group E on the line.

Both teams have taken four points from their opening two matches, drawing with Mexican club Monterrey and beating J.League outfit Urawa Red Diamonds.

Defeat for either of the group favourites at Lumen Field would open the door to Monterrey snatching one of the qualification spots.

The wider context of the tournament might offer extra motivation to River, who have seen Brazilian clubs Botafogo and Flamengo defeat European giants, while no doubt enjoying their sworn enemies Boca Juniors failing to beat New Zealand amateurs Auckland City en route to elimination.

MORE: Can a South American team win the Club World Cup? Why FIFA tournament means more to CONMEBOL clubs

Inter Milan vs. River Plate predicted lineups, team news

The injury situation could be easing for new Inter boss Christian Chivu, with absentees Hakan Calhanoglu (thigh), Denzel Dumfries, and Davide Frattesi (both muscular) set to return.

Marcus Thuram (hip flexor), Piotr Zielinski (calf), Benjamin Pavard (undisclosed), and Yann Bisseck (thigh) are all more likely to be involved once more in the knockouts, should Inter get there.

The ongoing absences of Thuram and Mehdi Taremi, who is stranded in Iran due to all flights in his homeland being grounded, mean Sebastiano Esposito is set to continue alongside skipper Lautaro Martinez ​​​​​​up front.

Inter Milan predicted XI (3-5-2, right to left): Sommer (GK) — De Vrij, Acerbi, Bastoni — Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco — Esposito, Martinez.

Injured: Zielinski, Bisseck, Thuram, Pavard
Suspended: None

Inter Milan full roster

Goalkeepers: Raffaele Di Gennaro, Alessandro Calligaris, Josep Martinez, Yann Sommer

Defenders: Francesco Acerbi, Carlos Augusto, Alessandro Bastoni, Yann Bisseck, Matteo Cocchi, Stefan de Vrij, Matteo Darmian, Federico Dimarco, Tomas Palacios, Benjamin Pavard, Gabriele Re Cecconi

Midfielders: Kristjan Asllani, Nicolo Barella, Thomas Berenbruch, Hakan Calhanoglu, Denzel Dumfries, Davide Frattesi, Luis Henrique, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Petar Sucic, Nicolas Zalewski, Piotr Zielinski

Forwards: Valentin Carboni, Giacomo De Pieri, Francesco Esposito, Sebastiano Esposito, Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martinez, Mehdi Taremi

MORE: Where is Mehdi Taremi? How Israel conflict affects Iran star's Club World Cup participation with Inter Milan

If River Plate fall before the knockout rounds, head coach Marcelo Gallardo is likely to rue their indiscipline. Kevin Castano was sent off for two bookable offences against Monterrey.

Fellow midfielders Enzo Perez and Giuliano Galoppo received their second bookings of the tournament last time out, so are also suspended.

Matias Kranevitter, Nacho Fernandez and Rodrigo Aliendro are all in contention to start in the engine room. Elsewhere, Maxi Meza replaced the injured Sebastian Driussi on the left wing against Monterrey and should keep his place. Miguel Borja is the alternative for that berth.

River Plate predicted XI (3-1-3-3, right to left): Armani (GK) — Montiel, Martinez Quarta, Diaz — Acuna — Fernandez, Kranevitter, Aliendro — Mastantuono, Colidio, Meza.

Injured: Driussi
Suspended: Castano, Perez, Galoppo

River Plate full roster

Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Santiago Beltran, Lucas Lavagnino, Jeremias Ledesma

Defenders: Marcos Acuna, Fabricio Bustos, Milton Casco, Paulo Diaz, Federico Gattoni, Lucas Martinez Quarta, Gonzalo Montiel, German Pezzella, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Lautaro Rivero

Midfielders: Rodrigo Aliendro, Kevin Castano, Giorgio Costantini, Ignacio Fernandez, Giuliano Galoppo, Matias Kranevitter, Manuel Lanzini, Santiago Lencina, Gonzalo Martinez, Maximiliano Meza, Enzo Perez, Matias Rojas, Santiago Simon

Forwards: Miguel Borja, Facundo Colidio, Bautista Dadin, Sebastian Driussi, Franco Mastantuono, Gonzalo Tapia, Ian Subiabre

MORE: Can a South American team win the Club World Cup? Why FIFA tournament means more to CONMEBOL clubs

Inter Milan vs. River Plate score prediction

Inter have looked every inch like a team exhausted from their run to the UEFA Champions League final and adapting to the departure of Simone Inzaghi as head coach. They left it perilously late to beat Urawa Red Diamonds and, although collective quality should tip the game in the Nerazzurri's favour, River are entitled to fancy their chances.

On the other hand, those midfield absences could hinder Gallardo's men and a tense encounter is likely to ensue, spoils shared and nervous glances towards the Monterrey result.

Predicted score: Inter Milan 1-1 River Plate

How to watch Inter Milan vs. River Plate: Live stream, TV channel

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