Flamengo vs. River Plate: Copa Libertadores Final Odds, Live Stream, TV Info

Gill Clark @@gillclarkyFeatured Columnist IINovember 23, 2019

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF IMAGES - Image numbers 1160825745,1179353482 - GRADIENT ADDED) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Head coach Jorge Jesus of Flamengo (L) and Marcelo Gallardo head coach of River Plate. Flamengo and River Plate meet in the Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2019 at the Estadio Monumental on November 23,2019 in Lima,Peru. ***LEFT IMAGE*** RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 10: Head coach Jorge Jesus of Flamengo in action during a match between Flamengo and Gremio as part of Brasileirao Series A 2019 at Maracana Stadium on August 10, 2019 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Bruna Prado/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - MARCH 02: Marcelo Gallardo head coach of River Plate looks on during a match between River Plate and Newell's Old Boys as part of Superliga 2018/19 at Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on March 2, 2019 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Amilcar Orfali/Getty Images)

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Champions River Plate take on Brazilian giants Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores final at Estadio Monumental "U" in Lima, Peru, on Saturday.

The final will be played over one leg rather than two for the first time in the competition's history and has been switched from its original venue in Santiago, Chile, to Lima because of safety concerns.

Victory for River would see the Argentinian club become the first side to win the competition in consecutive years since fierce rivals Boca Juniors did it in 2001, while Flamengo are hoping to claim the Copa Libertadores for just the second time in their history.

Date: Saturday, 23 November

Time: 8 p.m. GMT/3 p.m. ET

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TV: BBC Two (UK), beIN Sports (U.S.)

Live Stream: BBC iPlayer (UK), beIN Sports CONNECT (U.S.)

Odds (via Oddschecker): Flamengo 6-5, Draw 21-10, River Plate 5-2

Match Preview

Flamengo head into Saturday's match as slight favourites with the oddsmakers. Jorge Jesus' side are in the final for the first time since their triumph in 1981 and are on course to win the Brasileirao. The team are 13 points ahead of their nearest rivals, Palmeiras, with five matchdays left to play.

The Brazilian giants head into the match in strong form. They have not tasted defeat in their past 25 games in all competitions and have the chance to become the first team to complete a league and Libertadores double since a Santos team featuring Pele managed the feat in 1963.

Leading the charge for Flamengo will be Inter Milan loanee Gabriel Barbosa, known as Gabigol. The 23-year-old has enjoyed a prolific season, as highlighted by football writer Paulo Freitas:

Paulo Freitas @Cynegeticus
After scoring against Grêmio today, Gabigol has become the most prolific goalscorer of Flamengo in a single edition of the #Brasileirão, with 22 goals this year, Zico scored 21 in 1980. https://t.co/cK3IueSMEE

Gabigol has also netted seven goals in the Copa Libertadores, and his form saw him recalled to the Brazil squad in September for the first time in three years.

Defensively, the club has former Chelsea full-back Filipe Luis and ex-Bayern Munich man Rafinha to call upon.

River Plate triumphed over fierce rivals Boca Juniors in the 2018 final, and a win on Saturday will see them lift the trophy for the fifth time.

Manager Marcelo Gallardo has overseen one of the most successful spells in the club's history, lifting the Copa Sudamericana, two Copas Argentina and the Copa Libertadores twice.

His exploits have seen him linked with a move to Spanish giants Barcelona:

AS English @English_AS
River boss Marcelo Gallardo tipped to replace Valverde at Barcelona in December: https://t.co/mvdsR20rrr https://t.co/69fV4O7YZw

Los Millonarios have been inconsistent in the Argentinian Primera Division this season; they have won only seven of 13 matches and are fourth in the table. However, their experience of winning last season's final should help.

Attacking midfielder Exequiel Palacios played a key role in their triumph in 2018 and has once again been instrumental in helping the team to reach the final, while Juan Quintero scored what proved to be the winner in last season's final and is a mercurial presence in attack.

OptaPro showed what to expect from the teams in Saturday's showpiece:

OptaPro @OptaPro
#River have been the most direct team during the 2019 @Libertadores, whereas fellow finalists #Flamengo have adopted a more patient approach, ranking second in average passes per sequence. Clash. https://t.co/naCNW27juE

Both sides head into the match aiming to write their names into the history books. River Plate have thrived in this tournament under Gallardo, but Flamengo are the form team and look to have the edge.