- When facing Saudi Arabia, oddsmakers see Argentina as a strong favourite.
- While Saudi Arabia will put up a strong defence, Argentina’s offence will likely triumph.
- This is a game that I think Argentina will win easily.
Argentina, one of the tournament favourites at +500, will open the 2022 World Cup against Saudi Arabia, the tournament’s second-worst-rated team. Do the Argentines have a chance to set the tone for the remainder of the match with this game?
Argentina vs Saudi Arabia Group C Prediction
The winning team model has a 63% chance of being correct, and it forecasts that Argentina will win this Group C game. In addition, the model estimates that there is an 18% possibility of a draw or a tie.
Argentina vs Saudi Arabia Odds, Outrights, Over/Under
- Match Result: Argentina (-550) | Draw (+600) | Saudi Arabia (+1700)
- Draw No Bet: Argentina (-5000) | (+1250)
- Over/Under Goals: Over 2.5 (-165) | Under 2.5 (+115)
Argentina vs Saudi Arabia Match Info
- 2022 FIFA World Cup — Group Stage C
- Match Date: Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022
- Match Time: 5 A.M. ET
- Match Venue: Lusail Iconic Stadium, Qatar
- Live Coverage: FS1
Argentina vs Saudi Arabia Analysis
In terms of skill, this is one of the most lopsided Group Stage matchups.
Argentina’s success under Lionel Scaloni has been unstoppable; they won the 2021 COPA America and haven’t lost in 35 games. In their first ten games of the 2022 season, La Albiceleste has scored 26 goals while conceding just 2.
Scaloni’s side is very sophisticated in its approach to the game since most of its possession is spent in the center third of the field.
Leandro Paredes and Rodrigo De Paul might create a lethal midfield three without injured midfield master Giovani Lo Celso. They pass the ball until Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, or Lautaro Martinez can get a decent scoring position.
Many Argentine defenders contribute to the team’s success, including Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, and Lisandro Martinez.
Under Juan Pizzi’s guidance, Saudi Arabia played with a more forward mentality. As a result, Russia beat them handily (5-0) in 2018. Herve Renard has helped restore Saudi Arabia’s defence capabilities. His preferred formation for them is a 4-5-1, which is quite close to their usual formation.
No Saudi Arabian team members ever compete abroad. It’s good, but they’ve never competed on a global stage before, so they’ll likely struggle against stronger teams.
The Green Falcons’ lack of discipline has contributed to their eight-goal deficits in their four World Cup losses thus far. It was against Belgium that they recorded their lone shutout in 1994.
The best-case scenario for Saudi Arabia in their match against Argentina is a decent loss. It’s conceivable that they’ll fall back, where they’ll have some success but ultimately fail to stave off Argentina’s onslaught. It will end with a 2-0 victory for Argentina, and I think Messi will score both goals.
