Verdict: Argentina win
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Unibet
Looking to pick up their first Group C victory at the second attempt on Saturday night, Argentina will meet Mexico in Lusail for what is a must-win showdown.
Argentina
Starting with Argentina, while the South American giants might have been tipped as a landslide pick to open their World Cup adventure with a flurry earlier in the week, Lionel Scaloni’s side suffered what was a stunning defeat in Lusail. Eventually putting in a nightmare second-half display as they were hit with an infamous 2-1 loss at the hands of Saudi Arabia, La Albiceleste will be desperate to prove that was nothing more than a blip. Watching their remarkable 36-match unbeaten run come to an abrupt end last time out, Argentina face what is a must-win showdown on Saturday night. Still tipped as a standout pick to book their knockout stage ticket, Scaloni will be calling on his attacking icon to spearhead their charge this weekend. Bagging what turned out to be a consolation strike against Saudi Arabia in midweek, Lionel Messi has now notched 11 strikes in his last six international appearances.
Team News
Coming off the back of their infamous 2-1 loss at the hands of Saudi Arabia earlier in the week, Scaloni could be tempted to make a handful of changes on Saturday night.
The Manchester-based duo of Lisandro Martínez and Julián Álvarez will ve hoping to make their full World Cup debuts here. Controversially having his strike against Saudi Arabia ruled out, Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martínez should join Messi in attack.
Mexico
As for Mexico, while the Tricolor might still have their sights set on punching their own knockout stage ticket this year, Gerardo Martino’s men have struggled to find much stability over recent times. Putting in what was a toothless display earlier in the week as they opened their World Cup adventure with a fortunate 0-0 stalemate against Poland, the former Barcelona boss does appear to have some pressure on his shoulders. Suffering Gold Cup heartbreak at the hands of the USA last year, Mexico have now managed to muster just a trio of victories from any of their previous 10 matchups across all formats. Knowing that they should face a tough task on Saturday night, Martino’s side should also be worried by their continued struggles against the South American giants. Hit with a thumping 4-0 loss when they last faced off against Argentina back in 2019, it should be highlighted that Mexico have lost each of their last three meetings against La Albiceleste by an aggregate score of 8-0.
Team News
After having to settle for a 0-0 stalemate against Poland earlier in the week, Martino could be tempted to hand Wolves striker Raul Jiminez a full return on Saturday night. Jiminez could join Napoli’s Hirving Lozano in attack.
36-year-old Andres Guardado is hoping to make his fifth appearance at a World Cup finals this weekend.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides last faced off back in 2019, Argentina picked up a 4-0 victory.
- Likewise, the South American giants have won each of their last three meetings against Mexico by an aggregate score of 8-0.
- Argentina’s shock 2-1 loss against Saudi Arabia earlier in the week brought an end to their 36-match unbeaten run across all formats.
- Mexico have managed to win just a trio of their last 10 straight matchups across all competitions – a run that stems back to May 28th.
- Continuing on from their adventure out in Russia four years ago, the Tricolor have failed to find the net in their last three World Cup appearances.
Conclusion
Opening up their Group C campaign with an infamous 2-1 loss against Saudi Arabia in midweek, Argentina will know that they face a must-win showdown on Saturday night. However, while the South American icons might have seen their record-breaking 36-match unbeaten run come to an abrupt end earlier in the week, Scaloni’s side should be smelling the chance to lay down a marker here. Still tipped among the leading contenders to claim a third world crown this year, La Albiceleste will be looking to cash in on a Mexico squad that have shown some extended issues over recent times. Winning just a trio of their last 10 matchups across all formats, the Tricolor also hold a downbeat record against their Group C rivals. Losing each of their last three meetings against Argentina by an aggregate score of 8-0, we’re backing Scaloni’s men to get their first World Cup points on the board here.
Verdict: Argentina win
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Unibet
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