*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
I know what you’re thinking, ‘What the hell is Finalissima?’ The short answer is that it’s a semi-regular meeting between the Euro and Copa America winners (This is the third edition since 1985).
The longer answer involves UEFA and CONMEBOL thinking up ways to make a bit more cash and, Voilà! Here we sit ahead of the first of what will become a regular meeting between the best national side in Europe and South America.
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But, putting the politics of international governing bodies aside, it’s Italy v Argentina at Wembley on Wednesday and it should be interesting fare. Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup so will be looking for some face-saving here while Argentina will relish the chance to pit their wits against a top-10 nation ahead of Qatar.
It’s a nice curtain raiser to welcome in the summer internationals so we thought we’d cook up a little Bet builder to get the juices flowing. Who’s getting their hands on the prestigious Finalissima title? Let’s take a look.
*A Bet Builder with these four bets pays at approximately 27/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Wednesday 7.45pm: Italy v Argentina
Finalissima
TV: Premier Sports 1
Argentina to Win
On paper this should be a routine win for Argentina. They come into this in outstanding form and haven’t lost any competitive game since July 2019. In the last 12 months they’ve played 14 games, winning 10 and drawing four.
Italy, on the other hand, crashed out of the World Cup playoffs to minnows North Macedonia and won just three times in the 2021/22 domestic season. They lost two and drew another four matches.
This is a really solid Argentina side sprinkled with some star qualify. Italy are in transition again with a number of inexperienced names in the camp so I’m happy to side with Argentina to Win.
Under 2.5 Goals
It’s not exactly the World Cup Final, but this game should have enough of a buzz around it for the protagonists to take it seriously. With this set to become a regular fixture (if you can call once every four years regular), there will be a desire among both sets of squads to be the first to get their nation engraved on the trophy.
Generally speaking both tend to be involved in low-scoring matches. Five of Argentina’s last seven have seen Under 2.5 Goals while it’s three of the last four for Italy. Wembley seems to be the home of drab, low-scoring matches at the moment so Under 2.5 Goals feels the right way to play.
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Lautaro Martinez to Score Anytime
Lautaro Martinez comes into the summer internationals in great form. He notched 22 goals in 43 appearances for Inter Milan as they just fell short of defending their Serie A title.
He’s bagged five in his last five club outings and two in his last two Argentina matches. Italy will be hard to breach but with our man in form I’ll take Lautaro Martinez to Score Anytime.
Lionel Messi to Score or Assist
We can’t talk about Argentina without mentioning the great Lionel Messi. Unlike Martinez he hasn’t enjoyed the best club season, scoring a paltry (for him) 11 goals and grabbing 14 assists in 33 Paris St-Germain appearances.
With an injury-delayed start and his 35th birthday on the horizon there are excuses, but I think everybody expected him to score 50 goals and set up at least another 100 in the French league. I think it will take a bit of magic to open up this Italy side so who better to back other than Lionel Messi to Score or Assist?
Italy v Argentina tips
Argentina to Win
Under 2.5 Goals
Lautaro Martinez to Score Anytime
Lionel Messi to Score or Assist
*A Bet Builder with these four bets pays at approximately 27/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
FREE BET IF 1 LEG LETS YOU DOWN
If one leg of your 4+ fold Bet Builder fails to land, you get up to £/€10 back as a free bet. Customers can qualify for 1 Bet Builder Free Bet If 1 Leg Lets You Down per day up to £/€10. The free bets will be credited by 12pm the following day.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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