Football Bet of the Day: Costa Rica can find the net against Argentina

Wednesday’s Football Bet of the Day focuses on world champions Argentina, as they host Costa Rica in the early hours of Wednesday morning (02:50), with Lionel Scaloni’s men on a flying run of form. The number one-ranked team in the world taking on 54th-ranked Costa Rica, who beat Honduras in their Nations League play-off last time out. 

Below we take a look at this game and select our Football Bet of the Day for Wednesday, March 27. 

It must be said that Argentina’s price of 1/7 to win this game outright limits our options slightly. I’m looking for a price over EVS that is worth backing and Argentina’s incredible defence opens the door for this 11/5 shout, if we fancy them to concede. 

Scaloni’s team were one of the most exciting to watch at the 2022 World Cup, but since then, they’ve become a defensive machine. In their 11 matches since that remarkable final, they’ve kept an astonishing 10 clean sheets. Cristian Romero and Nicolas Otamendi have created a dominant partnership in the middle of defence, and one that has been able to shut almost every attack. 

So why on earth am I backing Costa Rica to score against this seemingly unbreakable defence? Well, there’s a few reasons as to why I believe the away side can find the net. First of all, we can expect Scaloni to look at a few of his fringe players here.

He is already without Lionel Messi and Paulo Dybala, with Exequiel Palacios and Marcos Senesi also currently sidelined. There’s also been a shift away from 2023’s team, with the likes of Marcos Acuna and Lucas Ocampos left out of this current squad. Given this is another friendly, and having played the majority of his first team in the win over El Salvador at the weekend, the gaffer is expected to ring the changes. 

Emi Martinez is probably going to be rested after another clean sheet, while Romero could also be handed a break. But arguably it isn’t Argentina’s defence that makes them so solid, but their bullish, workmanlike midfield four. Rodrigo de Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Leandro Paredes and Giovani Lo Celso all started last time out, and I expect rotation again here. 

Guido Rodríguez and Alejandro Garnacho still have a point to prove for Argentina, and the winger may not provide much defensive cover if he starts on the left. Putting this run of clean sheets into context, La Albiceleste conceded twice in their defeat to Uruguay, and other than Brazil, haven’t been tested against quality opposition. 

El Salvador, Bolivia, Curacao, Indonesia and Panama have all been beaten to nil during this run - teams that the world champions should be beating with ease. Costa Rica are certainly a step up on that lot, and they pose a decent goalscoring threat. They have scored in five of their last six games, and hit five goals in their last two outings. 

I believe with Argentina’s changes, and Costa Rica’s attack, that the away side can find the net - even in a likely defeat. Scaloni has built a terrific side here, and they will be tough to stop at the Copa America this summer. Our Football Bet of the Day is Argentina to win and BTTS at 11/5. 

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