France
vs.
Argentina
By: Jason Green
Date: Saturday June 30th
Match Odds: France +135 / Argentina +240 / Draw +200
Over/Under: 2.5 goals
France has to be happy they won their group, but can they feel that way facing Argentina in the round of 16? I would say no. Argentina was less than impressive in only bagging Four points from their three group matches needing a late goal in their last match just to get to the knockout phase. The French are the betting favorites and while Argentina has been far from top form Lionel Messi and company still finished runner-up in the last World Cup and they have a legit attack, which has not been shown in this Tournament.
France won their group, but were not great in doing so only scoring three goals in the process and playing to a 0-0 draw in their toughest group match, which was their last one, facing Denmark.
In the 12 all-time meetings between these two squad Argentina has six wins, two losses, and Four draws and they have not met since a friendly back in 2009.
Argentina limped into their last match needing to beat Nigeria and hoping Croatia beat or played with a draw with Iceland. Well, the Croats did their part with a win and Argentina got a late goal to do their part.
Messi scored the first goal in this World Cup in the 2-1 win over Nigeria in Argentina’s last match.
France has a solid midfield and Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud paces the attack, which has to be solid in this match. Argentina has conceded five goals in their three matches in this World Cup.
Messi has looked out of sorts in this World Cup and it looks as if the pressure is getting to him. He did scored in the last match, but has to dictate the pace up front more and the other guys up front such as Gonzalo Higuaín have to help their superstar out.
Paul Pogba has been pretty good in the Tournament, but will have to be better than that in this match. The French are the betting favorite and they have kept two clean sheets in their last couple of matches. However, which Argentina team will they see in this match? Messi and company have not played well in their first three matches and their midfield has not been solid at all. They have to shore up that part of the pitch in this match facing a France squad that is hungry to say the least.
Last Three Matches
France
6/16/18 France 2 Australia 1 (World Cup)
6/21/18 France 1 Peru 0 (World Cup)
6/26/18 Denmark 0 France 0 (World Cup)
Argentina
6/16/18 Argentina 1 Iceland 1 (World Cup)
6/21/18 Argentina 0 Croatia 3 (World Cup)
6/26/18 Nigeria 1 Argentina 2 (World Cup)
Prediction: This one is a very tough call. Argentina has not showed they are a world power in this Tournament and while they limped into the knockout stage they will do so in this match. Messi knows this may be his last chance for World Cup glory and he will have a great match. It will be a close one, as France will play well in the midfield, but Argentina will come out on top winning 2-1.