Argentina vs Australia Prediction, Lineups, Results & Betting Tips

After a shocking 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia on the opening day, Argentina recovered well by winning their remaining two matches and now, they must compete with surprise package Australia with the winner taking their place in the quarter-final.

Argentina vs Australia Stats

• Argentina have won the corner count in their three World Cup matches by an aggregate of 22-5
• None of those three sides saw more than two corners against Lionel Scaloni’s men
• Argentina will dominate and play in the Australian half. The Socceroos will play deep and are unlikely to earn corners themselves

Argentina vs Australia Prediction:

Betting Tip: Argentina -4 corner handicap

I’m going with just one pick in this clash and it’s a market that has served well in a World Cup that has produced some truly incredible results. I wanted to find a way to get Argentina onside but the market agrees and La Albiceleste are expected to comfortably secure passage into the quarter-final stage with a win here.

Looking at Argentina’s games thus far, it’s remarkable how they’re able to pin teams back in their own half and flood forward with wave after wave of attack. They’re so difficult to play against and teams are somewhat forced to set up camp just outside of their own box.

That is exactly what I think we’ll see here. Australia deserve huge plaudits for progressing from their group, but they have rode their luck somewhat and have been lucky not to concede more goals. I think their luck will run out here but they will go down fighting.

Holding Argentina at bay for as long as possible, and in turn frustrating them, has to be the aim for Graham Arnold and his men here. They will do their best to avoid leaving gaps that the genius of Lionel Messi can exploit and I think the Socceroos will be able to handle the aerial and physical battles that take place across the park.

The longer this match remains close, the more intense the pressure from the South Americans will become and as such, I think La Albiceleste can rack up the corners yet again. They have registered 22 corners in total across their last three games, meanwhile, Australia have managed just five in as many games.

The Aussies are unlikely to venture forward on too many occasions and with the constant pressure from Lionel Scaloni’s men, I'll take Argentina to cover a -4 corner handicap at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Saturday evening.

Argentina vs Australia Results

Argentina vs Australia Team News 

Argentina:

• Argentina should have no injury concerns coming into this game

Australia:

• Australia should have no injury concerns coming into this game

Argentina vs Australia Lineups

Predicted lineups are brought to you by WhoScored.com.

Argentina

Martinez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna, Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez

Australia 

Ryan, Degenek, Souttar, Rowles, Behich, Leckie, Mooy, Irvine, Goodwin, Duke, McGree

Argentina vs Australia Score Prediction:

Argentina 2-0 Australia