Argentina vs Australia Prediction, Betting Odds & Preview

Here is our Argentina vs Australia prediction! Can Lionel Messi and Argentina keep their World Cup hopes alive against the Socceroos?

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Game Details

Matchup: Argentina vs Australia

Venue: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium

Kick-Off: 7 pm, Sat, Dec 2nd

What Channel? RTE 2 for viewers in Ireland. In the UK you can catch the action on ITV

Match Betting Odds

The Form – Argentina vs Australia

Argentina’s Form

We have now seen this Argentina team play three World Cup games and the performances have been very mixed. They certainly haven’t lived up to the hype that surrounded them when they came into this tournament as second favourites in the betting.

Nevertheless, they are in the knockout rounds now and even topped their group so despite some poor performances they haven’t suffered any negative consequences.

The stunning loss to Saudi Arabia could have seen this squad absolutely crumble under the pressure of their country’s expectations. To be fair to the Argentines they have responded well since that loss. The performance against Mexico wasn’t overly convincing but they got the result that they needed to keep their hopes alive.

The second half of the last group game against Poland saw this team play their best football so far. They won 2-0 but if they had been more clinical they could have put four or five past the Polish.

This is a team that no one will want to face in the knockout rounds with the confidence they have gained since that second period against Poland.

Australia’s Form

What a couple of performances from the Socceroos to qualify out of their group at this World Cup. They were put to the sword by France in their opening game with a 4-1 loss but they completely turned things around in their two games since.

Australia were underdogs in each game they have played so far but they haven’t let that stop them. Against Tunisia they were able to squeeze out a 1-0 victory thanks to a Mitchell Duke goal in the first half.

Their last group game against Denmark they were given little chance to even get a result never mind beating the Danes but they were able to do just that. Matthew Leckie scored the crucial goal which sees them advance to this next round of 16 game against Argentina.

How The Two Teams Match Up – Argentina vs Australia Prediction

Argentina’s Attack

This Argentina attack seems to be coming into form at just the right time. In the first half of their first game against Saudi Arabia they actually created quite a few chances and all seemed to be going as expected with this team. The second half of that game was a completely different story and their attacking struggles continued into the Mexico game.

It was a moment of magic from Messi which got this team over the line against Mexico (plus a late goal from Fernandez) but there were still plenty of concerns about their attacking play before the Poland match.

The second half against Poland might be the turning point for Argentina in this World Cup. They looked sharp on the ball and incisive in their play. The second goal from Julian Alvarez in particular looked like that of a team that were true contenders to win this FIFA World Cup.

Argentina went with a 4-3-3 last time around and I don’t see them switching things up much against Australia in this game. The only change I think we might see is Lyon’s Tagliafico coming into start at left back over Acuna.

Australia’s Defence

Australia have been brilliant in defence ever since they conceded four goals in their World Cup opener to France. You can somewhat forgive that defensive performance against France too given how much good the French attack is.

They haven’t conceded a goal since then in their two games against Tunisia and Denmark. They’ve needed to be defensively solid too with the team struggling to score goals down the other end of the pitch.

Argentina should expect this Australia side to be tough to breakdown. The Aussies don’t have any outstanding individual defenders but they get numbers behind the ball, they are well organised and they work well as a unit.

Australia’s Attack

While the defensive side of things have been good for Australia it has been just the opposite in their attacking play. In their last five matches they have only once scored more than one goal.

To be fair to the Australians they have managed to record a goal in all their World Cup games so far. If they can replicate that performance here then it should keep them in touch in this game.

They will likely set up in a 4-4-2 and look to do most of their damage on the counterattack.

Argentina’s Defence

The Argentines have been solid in defence during this tournament. Of course, in their opening game they conceded two goals against Saudi Arabia but they were unlucky because those were the only two shots on target that Saudi Arabia had in that game.

In four of their last five matches Argentina haven’t conceded a goal. That includes their two most recent games at this World Cup against Mexico and Poland. In the Mexico game they only conceded one shot on target against them.

Poland had even less success in penetrating this Argentina defence as they couldn’t managed one shot on target over the course of the game.

Argentina vs Australia Prediction and Best Bet

I’m going with Draw/Argentina in the HT/FT betting boosted to 3/1 from 11/4 as the best bet for this game.

There have been so many games scoreless in this World Cup at half time and Argentina’s last two games have been 0-0 at half time too. Australia can stay in this game in the first half but Argentina’s quality should shine through by full time.

Argentina vs Australia Prediction – Goalscorer Betting Odds

Julian Alvarez was brilliant in Argentina’s last game against Poland after replacing Lautaro Martinez in the starting line-up. Alvarez scored a great goal and looked like a constant threat so 7/2 odds on the Man City forward to score the first goal look like good value here.

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