Argentina vs Brazil Prediction: Tight encounter on the cards

If there is one fixture to get the pulses racing during South American World Cup qualifying, it is without a doubt Argentina vs Brazil. Two of the biggest football nations on the planet will collide in Buenos Aires, with kick-off scheduled for 00:00 on Wednesday morning here in the UK. The Estadio Mas Monumental will be a cauldron as these two historic rivals collide, with Argentina sitting pretty at the top of the table.

Meanwhile, Brazil are up to third and both are looking certain to qualify for next year’s World Cup in North America. Below you can find my Argentina vs Brazil predictions for this mouthwatering clash.

Team News

Nicolas Gonzalez was sent off in the win over Uruguay so he is suspended for this clash, but having only come off the bench the starting XI could remain unchanged. Lionel Messi isn’t involved in this squad having picked up an injury for Atlanta United, so Thiago Almada, Julian Alvarez and Guiliano Simeone started up front in the 1-0 win over Uruguay. 

Angel Correa is another option in the final third but it seems as though Lionel Scaloni will stick with the team that earned that big win. Enzo Fernandez, Leandro Paredes and Alexis Mac Allister made up the midfield trio while after a strong showing the back four should remain unchanged.

Football Odds

Brazil’s teamsheet in their late win over Colombia had a strange quirk, as they were allowed to make a whopping seven substitutions rather than the usual five. That’s because both Alisson Becker and Davinson Sanchez both had to come off with concussion, meaning they didn’t count towards the regular subs total. 

Both players are unlikely to play against Argentina as a result, while Matheus Cunha could come in for Joao Pedro, Joelinton is likely to start ahead of the injured Gerson and Savinho is trying to force his way into the team, but faces tough competition from Rodrygo. Vinicius Jr. will continue to play up front after his 99th minute winner v Colombia. 

Argentina vs Brazil Odds

Argentina are priced at 23/20 to win this game, giving them an implied win percentage of 46% as they have won nine of their 13 qualifiers to date. Brazil can be backed at 9/4 and are unbeaten in their last five, while a draw can be backed at 2/1. 

Over 2.5 goals is 6/4 and has come in during three of Brazil’s last five, while BTTS is 11/10. Argentina’s Alavarez is the favourite to score first at 11/2. 

BTTS @ 11/10

I am going to back BTTS here despite Argentina’s fierce defensive record. Scaloni’s team are pretty stingy when it comes to conceding goals and have kept three clean sheets out of the last four. However, they’ve had a brutal encounter against Uruguay and they are coming up against some of the finest attackers in the world. Raphinha, Vinicius Jr., Joao Pedro, Savinho and Rodrygo all have the individual ability to score goals at the drop of a hat and I think they will really test this Argentine back four. 

Unlike Argentina, Brazil’s matches do contain goals. Four of their last five have seen both teams find the net with the only exception being the 4-0 hammering of Peru. So goals aren’t an issue for Dorival Junior’s men, and I think we should see both teams find the net in a highly-strung encounter. 

Bet Builder - Draw and Julian Alvarez and Raphinha to score @ 33/1

Let’s put together a tasty Bet Builder to round off this preview. I can see this game being a score draw given Argentina have a few injury issues and Brazil have such attacking strength. Raphinha is my pick to score for the visitors given he converted a penalty against Colombia and has scored 27 goals in 42 games in all competitions for Barcelona. 

I think he will cause problems, while I will also back Julian Alvarez to find the net as he is clearly Argentina’s biggest threat in the absence of Messi and Lautaro Martinez. I can see this one being a score draw, which would suit both teams on their way to the World Cup next summer. Argentina have a great record against Brazil and are undefeated in their last four meetings, so I think that will continue here. 

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