Argentina v Saudi Arabia betting tips
Argentina (-2)
Lautaro Martinez to Score Anytime
Lionel Messi to have three or more Shots on Target
Leandro Parades to Attempt 70 or more Passes
*A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 8/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Tuesday, November 22: 10:00 – Argentina v Saudi Arabia
TV: ITV, ITVX
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Argentina get their World Cup underway when they face Saudi Arabia in Group C in the early kickoff on Tuesday morning. Let’s go through the stats and form of both sides then to find the four best bets for a value-stuffed Bet Builder.
- WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ARGENTINA? Here’s our trader’s Argentina Team Guide
- DO SAUDI ARABIA STAND A CHANCE? Paddy’s number crunchers deliver their verdict in this Saudi Arabia Team Guide
Argentina (-2)
Argentina come into this World Cup as the most in-form team in the tournament, boasting a record of 36 consecutive games unbeaten. They have not lost since a defeat to Brazil in the semi-finals of the 2019 Copa America and will equal the all-time record for most consecutive games undefeated if they avoid defeat against Saudi Arabia. They should do that with some comfort against what appears to be the whipping boys of Group C.
The Saudis were impressive in qualifying for the World Cup, finishing above Japan and Australia in their final qualifying group. However, they have been uninspiring in the build-up to the tournament, winning just two of their last eight games. They have scored just three times in those eight games, scoring one goal in each of their games against the mighty Panama, Iceland, and North Macedonia.
Argentina, on the other hand, have won their last five games without conceding a goal, scoring 19 goals in the process. Granted, some of the opponents were nowhere near World Cup standard but they are clearly flying high at the moment and it is hard to see anything other than a comfortable win for Messi & Co. on Tuesday morning.
Lautaro Martinez to Score Anytime
If Argentina are to win their first World Cup since 1986, they will need Lautaro Martinez to have a good tournament. The Inter Milan striker appears to compliment Lionel Messi perfectly in the Argentinian attack and boasts an excellent international goalscoring record of 21 goals in 40 appearances.
Martinez has scored seven goals in 14 Serie A starts for Inter this season and recently broke a mini-goal drought when he scored in the 6-1 win over Bologna two weeks ago. He can open his account at the 2022 World Cup in a game that Argentina are likely to dominate from start to finish.
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Lionel Messi to have 3+ Shots on Target
Lionel Messi comes into his fifth World Cup like a man possessed. Messi has looked back to his best for PSG this season, registering 12 goals and 14 assists in 19 appearances in all competitions. He also has 10 goals in four international friendly appearances since June and will be desperate to improve his relatively poor World Cup record of six goals in four tournaments.
Messi has averaged over two shots on target per game in Ligue 1 this season and almost two shots on target per game in the Champions League. He is likely to better that record against Saudi Arabia considering the gulf in class between the two sides.
Leandro Parades to Attempt 70 or more Passes
Leandro Parades has not enjoyed a happy start to life in Turin after moving to Juventus on loan in the summer. His arrival has coincided with Juventus being dumped out of the Champions League after five defeats in six group games, while Paredes has only made seven starts in all competitions.
However, the midfielder will play a very important role sitting in front of Argentina’s back four at the World Cup. Parades averages 57 passes per game in the Champions League this season but can be expected to record several more in an Argentinian side playing at a far higher level than Juventus.
Parades averaged 97 pass attempts per 90 minutes for PSG in the 2020/21 Ligue 1 season, while he averaged 95 pass attempts per 90 minutes for the French club last season. He consistently averages a pass completion rate in the high 90s and will make Argentina tick against Saudi Arabia in a game they are likely to dominate possession in.
Argentina have failed to record more than 50% possession in just one of their last 16 games and Tuesday is unlikely to be any different. Parades will be central to that and should attempt at least 70 passes.
Argentina v Saudi Arabia Bet Builder Tips
Argentina (-2)
Lautaro Martinez to Score Anytime
Lionel Messi to have three or more Shots on Target
Leandro Parades to Attempt 70 or more Passes
*A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 8/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
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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