Argentina VS Nicaragua Match Prediction

  • Logo2019-06-08
  • Logo00:10:00
Argentina
VS
Nicaragua

Our Prediction Tip

Argentina will win this match.

This match marks the first time these two sides will face off in official competition. 

ARG vs NCA Betting Tips and Odds

Argentina wouldn’t have enjoyed their last year of football one single bit, especially seeing as how things went in Russia at the World Cup.  They did win their group, but it set them up against France in the Round of 16, and they were thoroughly bossed and lost out to the dynamic, pacey eventual winners.  That caused a change in management and it’s made some wonder if Messi will play much longer.  In the last year overall, they have six wins, two draws, and four losses.  They take on Nicaragua here ahead of the Copa America beginning in a little over a week.  They will face Colombia, Paraguay, and 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar in the group stage.

Nicaragua haven’t played a ton of football of late, but they did earn their place in the CONCACAF Gold Cup as a result of their finish in their own version of the Nations League.  They have three wins in the past year, along with a loss and a draw, though none of those matches have come against teams that are remotely as good as Argentina are.  They will get ready for the Gold Cup, in which they’ll be facing Costa Rica, Haiti, and Bermuda in a group that could be negotiable for them to get out of if they play their cards just right.

Argentina vs Nicaragua Prediction

The best Nicaragua can hope for here is to keep it tight at the back and spring on the counter.  This is an exercise that is building toward the Gold Cup, but it’s one that could become quite painful if Argentina finally hits its stride.

Correct Score Prediction: Argentina 4-0 Nicaragua

Argentina Team News

Lionel Scaloni, 5-1-2 so far as boss of the national side, has injuries that are keeping defender Walter Kannemann, forward Cristian Pavon, and midfielders Eduardo Salvio and Rodrigo Battaglia.  Erik Lamela an Angel Correa also are set to miss out via coach’s decision.

Argentina Key Man

Lionel Messi is back, at least for now, and he has got to be itching to get back to mythic status after his Barcelona side lost in both the Champions League and Copa del Rey.  On top of that, he comes off a fairly poor World Cup last summer, meaning he really needs to lead them to glory.  This can be the start of that journey.  In midfield, Roberto Pereyra is a man to watch after he had a great season for Watford.  He is a very creative player and could bring the guile and graft needed to win and not just sacrifice that for being pretty and spectacular.

Argentina Team Form

Argentina have three wins and two losses in their last five matches:

0-1 win at Morocco
1-3 home loss vs Venezuela
2-0 home win vs Mexico
2-0 home win vs Mexico
0-1 home loss vs Brazil

Argentina Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 4-4-2

Nicaragua Team News

Henry Duarte, 8-3-4 as manager, has left out defender Bismarck Veliz, midfielders Maykel Montiel, and forward Eulises Pavon from this friendly squad.

Nicaragua Key Man

Talk about an impact. That’s what Armanto Goufas has had so far for Nicaragua.  The Greek born player scored in his debut with the side against Bolivia, so he will come into this match in pretty good form and will hope to follow that up with a shock goal against the Argentines.  In midfield, captain Juan Barrera will look to pull the strings.  He has scored 17 times in 49 caps for his nation, and he can bring just that added bit of experience to give them a puncher’s chance.  

Nicaragua Team Form

Nicaragua have three wins, a draw, and a loss in their last five matches:

0-1 win at Barbados (CNL)
2-2 draw at Bolivia (Fri)
0-2 home loss vs Haiti (CNL)
6-0 home win vs Anguilla (CNL)
0-2 win at St. Vincent (CNL)

Nicaragua Predicted Starting Line up

Expected Line up: 4-4-2

Argentina, as you would expect, have a great record when they come up against opponents from CONCACAF, and that record only gets better when you factor in teams from the Central American region. Nicaragua, for their part, aren't even among the strongest teams in that part of the confederation, so even a less than stellar Argentine unit should be able to easily outgun them in this warm up.
Argentina have won seven straight matches against CONCACAF opposition.