Prediction: Argentina vs Jamaica

Verdict: Argentina to win both halves

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to keep up their momentum before this year’s World Cup finals, Argentina will meet Jamaica at the Red Bull Arena in the early hours of Wednesday.

Argentina

Returning from the summer break last weekend with a thumping display against Honduras, Argentina appear to be riding a real wave. Eventually cruising their way to a 3-0 victory against Honduras in Florida, Lionel Scaloni’s men are remarkably unbeaten in each of their last 34 straight contests across all formats. With that stellar purple patch stemming all the way back to July 2019, the south American giants have been tipped to potentially cause a real upset at this year’s World Cup finals. With their run highlighted by a 3-0 victory against European champions Italy three months ago, the one-time Sevilla coach has seen his side gain a fearsome reputation for their free-scoring displays in the final third. In fact, Argentina have now notched 15 strikes in just their last five appearances and will be smelling the chance to lay down another pre-tournament marker in New Jersey.

Team News

Bagging a hat-trick against Honduras last week and now scoring a staggering eight goals in back-to-back international appearances, Lionel Messi will once again spearhead Argentina’s charge here.

Once again impressing off the bench in Florida, Manchester City starlet Julian Alvarez could join the PSG icon in attack. Likewise, Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez should partner German Pezzella at the back.

Jamaica

With it announced earlier in the month that Heimir Hallgrímsson will be the man taking Jamaica forward, the former Iceland boss will know that he has quite a job on his hands. Last seen over the weekend playing out a 1-1 draw against Qatar in Austria, the Yellows have managed to muster just a single victory from any of their last six matchups across all formats. Marking their return from the summer break with a downbeat display as they were blown away thanks to a 3-0 drumming against Morocco, there is no doubt that Jamaica face a monumental task in the early hours of Wednesday. With just a pair of wins to their name over the past 11 months, Hallgrímsson’s new squad also hold a worrying record against the south American icons. Losing all three of their meetings against Argentina by an aggregate score of 8-1, the Reggae Boyz should be bracing themselves for a tough test.

Team News

The likes of English-based stars Michail Antonio, Bobby-Cordova Reid, Leon Bailey and Jamal Lowe could all feature in the early hours of Wednesday.

However, Jamaica will be without Ipswich’s Gregory Leigh after the 27-year-old picked up a muscular injury while on domestic duties.

Key Factors to Consider

• Argentina are in the midst of a remarkable 34-match unbeaten run across all competitions, a run that stems all the way back to July 2019.
• Likewise, the south American giants have notched 15 strikes in just their last five appearances.
• Including a hat-trick against Honduras last week, Lionel Messi has now scored eight goals in back-to-back international matchups.
• Jamaica have managed to muster just a single victory from any of their previous six appearances across all formats.
• Argentina have won all three of their meetings against Jamaica by an aggregate score of 8-1.

Conclusion

Cruising their way to a routine 3-0 romp against Honduras in Florida last week, Argentina should be smelling the chance to extend on their remarkable purple patch here. In the midst of a staggering 34-match unbeaten run across all formats, a run that stems back to July 2019, the south American giants are rightfully tipped as a landslide pick in the early hours of Wednesday. With Jamaica mustering just a single win from any of their previous six showdowns, it is hard to see anything other than a routine victory for Scaloni’s’ high-flying squad in midweek.

Verdict: Argentina to win both halves

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet