Argentina suffered one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history in their first match, but since Saudi Arabia beat the Albiceleste, Messi and his mates have rolled. Australia surprised everybody by finishing second behind France in their group. Will the Aussie’s have enough to provide Argentina with yet another upset loss? Or will Lionel and the gang move on to the quarterfinals? See below for FIFA World Cup Odds, analysis, and a free pick for Argentina versus Australia.    

2022 FIFA World Cup Betting Analysis: Argentina vs Australia Matchup

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: Round of 16  – Argentina versus Australia

• When: Saturday, Dec. 3 at 2:00 pm ET

• Where: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar 

• TV/Streaming: FOX 

• Handicap Odds: Argentina -1.5 -168 / Australia +1.5 +132

• Moneyline Odds: Australia  +1675 / Argentina -549 / Draw +580

• Total Odds: O 2.5 -140 / U 2.5 +110

Why Australia is a good play versus Argentina

After losing by 3 goals to France in their first World Cup match, the Aussies changed strategies. Australia became a counter-attack team that relied on their defense.

The strategy change didn’t work just once. It worked twice because the Aussies beat both Tunisia and, in a huge upset, Denmark.

The Danes entered the World Cup the top underdog to win the title. Christian Eriksen and his crew won’t play in the knockout stage because Australia beat Denmark with the perfect defense first strategy. 

Australia Last 5

• W – 1-0 vs. Denmark
• W – 0-1 vs. Tunisia
• L – 4-1 vs. France
• W – 0-2 vs. New Zealand
• W – 1-0 vs. New Zealand

Australia Predicted Starting Lineup

• Ryan
• Rowes
• Souttar
• Behich
• Degenek
• Irvine
• Mooy
• Goodwin
• Leckie
• Duke
• McGree

Why Argentina is a good play versus Australia

Albiceleste captain Lionel Messi said Argentina had no excuse for losing to Saudi Arabia. Instead of getting down on his team, Messi huddled up the fellas and came up with a plan to dominate Mexico and Poland.

Now that Argentina has made it to the Round of 16, we should expect them to put on a show. Argentina is as deep as any team at the 2022 World Cup, including France and South American rival Brazil.

Last year, Argentina beat Brazil to win the Copa America. The match showed that this Argentinian side is different than past teams. Messi has become a true leader and the Albiceleste is responding with brilliant performances. 

Argentina Last 5

• W – 0-2 vs. Poland
• W – 2-0 vs. Mexico
• L – 1-2 vs. Saudi Arabia
• W – 0-5 vs. United Arab Emirates
• W – 3-0 vs. Jamaica

Argentina Predicted Starting Lineup

• Emiliano Martinez
• Lisandro Martinez
• Otamendi
• Correa
• Gonzalez
• De Paul
• Paredes
• Di Maria
• Messi
• Lautaro Martinez
• Alvarez

Final Betting Analysis: Australia vs Argentina

Australia is a solid bunch, but Argentina is playing like trophy winners. The Argentinians success starts with the greatest player in soccer history, Lionel Messi.

Messi has taken his leadership role by the reigns. While in the past we never got the feeling Lionel saw himself as a true leader, on the pitch at this year’s World Cup, there’s no question that Messi believes his job is to keep his team playing at a high-level, which means instead of looking for goals by himself, he wants to set up his teammates.

The distributing Messi is far more dangerous than the goal-scoring Messi. This is especially true for Argentina because Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez, and Rodrigo De Paul are all great strikers. 

Australia played the perfect match to get by Denmark. They can play as well as possible and Argentina would still cover the handicap. The Albiceleste stamp their ticket to the quarters.  

World Cup Pick: Argentina -1.5 

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