Bragantino vs River Plate – News and Probable Lineups

On Thursday, RB Bragantino will welcome River Plate for a third-round fixture in the Copa Sudamericana group stage. This match will take place at the Estadio Cícero de Souza Marques in Braganca Paulista, situated in the interior of Sao Paulo state.

This matchup involves two teams vying for prime positions in Group H, with Bragantino looking to reinforce their home dominance, while River Plate aims to solidify their campaign and inch closer to qualification in what is considered a fiercely competitive group.

Match overview

RB Bragantino has had a varied 2026 season, balancing their domestic commitments in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A with their Copa Sudamericana campaign. They come into this match following a 1-0 home loss to Palmeiras—their sixth defeat in the league—which has dropped Vagner Mancini’s team to ninth place with 11 points. This adds urgency to their need for a robust performance on the international stage.

Within the Copa Sudamericana, Bragantino currently holds the third spot in Group H with three points, following a 3-2 victory against Blooming that showcased their offensive capabilities but also revealed defensive weaknesses that allowed opponents back into the game.

This inconsistency in defense remains a major concern ahead of facing a stronger rival, making the organization of the backline an immediate priority before Thursday’s match.

Bragantino’s attacking chances will depend heavily on the experience of Eduardo Sasha and the finishing skills of Isidro Pitta, whose developing synergy could be pivotal in a game where making the most of key moments is essential, especially as they aim to exploit their home advantage from the onset.

Despite their uneven league performances, Mancini’s coaching staff are perceived as one of the most capable within Group H, raising hopes for this upcoming match.

A win against the Argentine league leaders would firmly place Bragantino in the hunt for the top position while providing a notable morale boost for both competitions, with the Estadio Cicero de Souza Marques set to host a contest of major significance beyond the current standings.

River Plate comes into this match in solid form, following a 3-1 victory over Aldosivi at the Monumental during matchday 16 of the Torneo Apertura. Goals from Giuliano Galoppo, Facundo Colidio, and Kendry Paez propelled them to second place in Zona B with 29 points.

This outcome helped lift their spirits after the recent Superclasico defeat, although the performance raised questions about their consistency throughout the full 90 minutes, as they struggled to gain control before securing the win late in the match.

Under the guidance of Eduardo Coudet, River embarked on a seven-match unbeaten streak before facing a 1-0 defeat to Boca Juniors in the Superclasico, where a decisive penalty by Leandro Paredes made the difference.

This loss unsettled the squad and drew criticism from fans, especially regarding selection decisions involving Galoppo and Colidio, placing pressure on the manager to restore confidence ahead of a challenging fixture on the horizon.

Currently, River leads Group H with four points and heads to Brasil with the intention of solidifying that position while inching closer to direct qualification for the round of 16. Only group winners advance automatically, while runners-up must face play-offs against teams relegated from the Copa Libertadores, making every point critical, as a loss could significantly reshape the group dynamics.

Team News

As they approach Thursday’s fixture, Bragantino faces several injury challenges, with Davi Gomes, Guzman Rodriguez, Vanderlan, Fabricio, Fernando, and Herrera unavailable. This limits Mancini’s options in midfield and attack, although he is expected to field the best possible XI.

Despite these absences, the Brazilian team will depend on their collective organization and home advantage, while also striving to rectify the defensive lapses that have impacted recent performances.

The attacking duo of Eduardo Sasha and Isidro Pitta continues to be their primary threat, with their chemistry anticipated to be crucial in applying pressure on River early and creating scoring chances.

River Plate also arrives with a diminished squad, as Sebastian Driussi, Juan Quintero, Fausto Vera, and Franco Armani are sidelined due to injury, making Driussi’s absence particularly significant in the attack.

Consequently, Coudet has been compelled to adjust his lineup in pursuit of maintaining competitiveness away from home despite the missing players.

Facundo Colidio and Maximiliano Salas are expected to spearhead the attack, tasked with offsetting Driussi’s absence while preserving River’s offensive effectiveness.

Bragantino probable starting XI:

Volpi; Hurtado, Henrique, Marques, Capixaba; Fernandes, Gabriel; Barbosa, Sasha, Mosquera; Pitta

River Plate probable starting XI:

Beltran; Montiel, Quarta, Rivero, Acuna; Moreno; Galvan, Gallop Subiabre; Colidio, Salas

As Group H leaders, River Plate arrives in Braganca Paulista with four points and a strong performance record under Eduardo Coudet—six wins, one draw, and a single defeat—having bounced back well from their Superclásico setback with an impressive win over Aldosivi, underlining their capacity to manage multiple competitions effectively.

In stark contrast, Bragantino remains erratic, having suffered three losses in their last six matches—including a home defeat to Palmeiras—and defensive weaknesses that may be exploited by a more precise opponent.