Argentina vs. Mexico Picks, Predictions, Odds
Saturday's World Cup 2022 action will end with a key Group C battle between Argentina and Mexico.
Argentina vs. Mexico Picks & Score Predictions
It’s a vital match in Group C between two great footballing nations. Both need the points with a fear that qualification is slipping away from Argentina and Mexico. La Albiceleste had the rudest wake-up call imaginable on Tuesday. The 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia was among the biggest upsets in the history of the World Cup.
Qualification is far from assured for Lionel Messi and company and their Group C qualification odds have dropped from -1429 to -200 (Bet $100 to win $50). Not exactly an outside punt but not as comfortable as it would have been.
The onus is now on them and Mexico to prove they are the two best sides in Group C. The bookies are expecting La Albicleste to make an immediate comeback here with the Asian line set at -1. A 2-0 or 3-0 is the expectation.
Score Predictions:
Argentina 2 Mexico 0 (+650)
Argentina 3 Mexico 0 (+1100)
Argentina vs. Mexico Best Bets
Don’t be alarmed by Argentina’s Matchday 1 defeat to Saudi Arabia. It was a shock, of course, but it should prove to be an outlier in La Albiceleste.
The expected goals data painted a much kinder picture for Argentina. As such, it’s worth backing them here. +350 for Argentina to win by exactly two goals looks okay. +168 for them to win by two or more on the Asian handicap market looks even better.
Best Bet: Argentina to Win by 2+ Goals (+168)
Argentina vs. Mexico Odds
Argentina -175
Mexico +550
Draw +300
Over 2.5 (+100)
Under 2.5 (-125)
Argentina is the big favorite. It’s -175 for them to earn the three points they couldn’t get against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. It’s hard to look past that option but this has been a World Cup for the underdogs thus far. Odds of+3000 for the draw and +550 for a Mexican win shows how the bookies expect this one to end.
Argentina Betting Outlook & Players to Watch
Sometimes the most obvious pick is the best one. Lionel Messi is the standout talent in this squad but this team is finally set up in a way that suits him.
The PSG man takes on the role of the goal scorer in this Argentina team. His goal on Tuesday was his 11th in five matches for Argentina. Odds of +120 for Messi to score anytime make plenty of sense. As does +700 for him to grab two goals or more in this one.
Laurtaro Martinez is the second-biggest threat behind Messi. The Inter Milan forward was about two inches away from scoring his first goal at a World Cup. That was how far offside Martinez was before his goal against Saudi Arabia was disallowed. With odds at +200 for Martinez to score anytime here looks value.
Mexico Betting Outlook & Players to Watch
Mexico looked toothless against Poland on Tuesday. They’ll need more from their wide players because centre-forward Alexis Vega was off the pace. Five shots, all off target and Vega lost the ball more than any other player.
Hirving Lozano could be the key for El Tri. He was the big positive for them against Poland in attack and could have an intriguing battle with Nahuel Molina down Argentina’s right. They’ll also hope for something from striker Raul Jimenez. The Wolves forward hasn’t scored in any of his last four appearances for Mexico. It’s his longest goalless run for El Tri for over four years. He may start on the bench so +1100 for Jimenez to score last looks the best bet for Mexico.
Another good option is to wait for the card markets to come out. Six Saudi Arabia players got booked against Argentina including two of their back four. All four of the defenders who started for Mexico on Matchday 1 are good candidates to pick up bookings here.
Argentina vs. Mexico Betting Resources
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022
- Matchup: Group C
- Stadium: Lusail Iconic Stadium
- Location: Lusail, Qatar
- TV-Time: FS1, 2:00 p.m. ET
Be sure to follow Daniel Jenkins on Twitter at @DanJenkins_BE
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