Brazil VS Argentina Match Prediction
2018-10-16
18:00:00
Brazil
VS
Argentina
Our Prediction Tip
Brazil will win this match.
2018-10-1618:00:00 Brazil will win this match.
While Argentina won 1-0 in Melbourne when these two teams last met, thanks to Gabriel Mercado’s goal, Brazil still have the edge overall. Brazil have won 44 of their 108 previous matches, whereas Argentina have 39 wins and there have been 25 draws. Prior to the friendly last time out, Brazil beat Argentina 3-0 in World Cup qualifying at home, having drawn 1-1 in Argentina. Philippe Coutinho, Neymar and Paulinho scored in that 3-0 win.
%HEAD-TO-HEAD-STATS-BANNER%
Missing Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Angel di Maria, this is a chance for some of Argentina’s fringe players to impress.
Against Brazil, however, they will have their work cut out – especially as the Brazilians have generally gone for a strong squad on this occasion.
Gabriel Jesus got back in the goals against Saudi Arabia, while Neymar set up both in that game and attacking talent like Roberto Firmino is waiting to come into the team too.
Argentina’s defence was their clear weak point at the World Cup, conceding three to Croatia and four to France – albeit both of those teams went on to contest the final.
That should give the Brazilian front men confidence – if they can get an early goal, they could end up with two or three.
Brazil are the stronger team on paper, with the more experience and the more attacking talent on display.
Brazil are odds-on favourites to beat Argentina, with Bet365, Ladbrokes and 10Bet offering 4/7 on a Brazil win.
While Argentina are inexperienced, they do possess plenty of attacking talent, however. Both teams to score has been set at 11/10 with Ladbrokes, Betfair and Paddy Power.
Brazil to win and BTTS will return 3/1 with Bet365, Ladbrokes, Betfair and Paddy Power.
Neymar is the obvious favourite to score at any time, even if he did play the role of provider rather than scorer against Saudi Arabia. Neymar is 11/10 to score at any time Betway, while Roberto Firmino is 15/8 with Bet365.
Brazil have their big stars in Saudi Arabia with them, while Argentina do not. Add Argentina’s injury worries to that, and it is clear Brazil have the stronger squad.
Ederson started in goal ahead of Alisson last time out, to win just his second cap, but the Liverpool stopper is likely to return to face Argentina. Also coming into the team last time were debutant Pablo in defence, but Malcom is still awaiting his international debut. Marcelo withdrew from the squad injured and Thiago Silva was not selected meaning in defence.
Neymar – Brazil’s captain and superstar has now scored 59 goals in 93 matches for the national team, while he set up both in the win against Saudi Arabia.
Gabriel Jesus – Back in the goals at international level with the opener against Saudi Arabia.
Richarlison – Everton winger earned his first call-up in September and marked it with two goals against El Salvador.
Brazil have won all three matches they have played since their World Cup exit in the quarter-finals against Belgium. They beat the USA 2-0 thanks to first-half goals by Roberto Firmino and Neymar, while Neymar opened the scoring again in the 5-0 win against El Salvador. Richarlison scored twice, Philippe Coutinho added another and Marquinhos sealed victory. Gabriel Jesus and Alex Sandro were the goalscorers in the 2-0 win against Saudi Arabia last time out.
Five of Argentina’s domestic-based players dropped out of the squad to face Iraq and Brazil – Franco Armani, Alan Franco, Gonzalo Martinez, Exequiel Palacios and Cristian Pavon. Angel di Maria, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain are yet to feature since the World Cup, with Mauro Icardi, Angel Correa and Giovani Lo Celso among those hoping to take their chance to impress.
Mauro Icardi – Set to return to the starting line-up having got back to goalscoring ways with five in his last five for Inter at club level
Angel Correa – Atletico Madrid’s creative star is back in the international set-up and keen to impress in place of Messi and Aguero.
Paulo Dybala – Still looking for his first international goal, but set up one in the win against Iraq last time out.
Since the World Cup, Argentina have won two and drew one of their three matches. They beat Guatemala in their first of the three friendlies as Gonzalo Martinez, Geovani Lo Celso and Giovanni Simeone all scored in a 3-0 win. A goalless draw with Colombia followed before another clean sheet in a 4-0 triumph against Iraq – Lautaro Martinez, Roberto Pereyra, German Pezzella and Franco Cervi all scoring.
Watch Live Streaming