Argentina vs Algeria Prediction: Alvarez to get reigning champs on their way

Reigning World Cup champions Argentina will get their campaign underway in the early hours of Wednesday morning (8pm local, 2am Weds BST, live on ITV) as they take on Algeria in Kansas City.

Lionel Scaloni's side are attempting to become just the third nation to win back-to-back World Cups, while Algeria will fancy their chances of emerging from Group J. Read on for my Argentina vs Algeria predictions, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Argentina will be spearheaded by Lionel Messi, who is set to earn his 200th cap for his country here, as well as make his 27th appearance at the World Cup.

Emi Martinez has been cleared to play after breaking his finger just prior to the Europa League final, while Nicolas Tagliafico is expected to miss out due to a calf strain.

As for Algeria, Ramy Bensebaini is a doubt as he continues to recover from an ankle injury, meaning that Samir Chergui or Zineddine Belaid are likely to take his place in the starting XI.

Veteran winger Riyad Mahrez will captain the side, and Marseille striker Amine Gouiri looks set to lead the attack.

Argentina vs Algeria Odds

Argentina are 4/11 favourites to win their opening group game, giving them an implied win probability of 73.3%, while the draw is 7/2 and Algeria are 8/1.

Messi is the currently tops the anytime goalscorer market at 4/5, followed by Lautaro Martinez at 6/5.

Argentina to win and over 2.5 goals @ 6/5

Argentina were stunned 2-1 by Saudi Arabia in their opening group game of the 2022 World Cup, which obviously didn't matter in the end given that they went all the way, but by that logic they won't be bothered by Wednesday's curtain-raiser.

You can be sure that Scaloni will want to see his side start strongly this time around, as he's built a side centred around winning mentality. Algeria will provide a stern test, however, as they've only lost one of their last 17 matches, keeping nine clean sheets in their previous 13 outings.

The reigning champions have won seven games in a row heading into Wednesday's opener, and for all the plaudits surrounding Algeria's defence, they severely underwhelmed at last year's Africa Cup of Nations, failing to make it past the round of 16, when many tipped them to make a deep run.

I can see Argentina coming out of the blocks flying here, and with the attacking talent they possess, over 2.5 goals should also land too.

*Click here for the latest World Cup Odds

Julian Alvarez - first goalscorer @ 7/2

Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez is a wanted man heading into this World Cup with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona both reportedly sniffing around for his signature, and bidding over £100m for his services.

It's easy to see why - the former Manchester City has had a stellar season for Atleti, netting 10 times and recording five assists in their Champions League semi-final run, and he scored four times en route to his country's triumph in Qatar in 2022.

I'm going to back him to open the scoring here, and help Argentina get off to a winning start in Kansas City.