Frederik
Preview: Argentina vs. Uruguay – Team news and prediction
The world champions will try to continue their winning streak as they welcome Uruguay to La Bombonera.
Four games have been played in the World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL, and Argentina has been quite dominant from the start. They have won all four matches and are the only team with maximum points. Additionally, they have an impressive goal difference of 7-0. Uruguay is currently in second place in the qualification after a fantastic 2-0 victory over Brazil in their last match, where they secured three crucial points with determination and fight. Argentina has won their last 14 games in all competitions and has kept clean sheets in the last 8 matches, so it's a challenging task for Uruguay.
Messi is the major profile for Argentina and is also the team's top scorer with 3 goals in the tournament. At the same time, he is the player with the most shots of all. With 2 goals and 2 assists, Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is the one Uruguay puts its trust in, and with his aggressive play, there should be plenty of action for the Argentine defense.
Last five meetings between Argentina vs. Uruguay:
0-1: Uruguay vs. Argentina
3-0: Argentina vs. Uruguay
1-0: Argentina vs. Uruguay
2-2: Argentina vs. Uruguay
0-0: Uruguay vs. Argentina
Team news:
Francisco Ortega and Pablo Maffeo are newcomers to the Argentina squad after being selected. Nicolas Gonzalez is expected to start alongside Messi and Julian Alvarez in the attack, while De Paul, Mac Allister, and Enzo Fernandez are regular fixtures in the midfield.
Uruguay manager Bielsa is expected to start with the same lineup as against Brazil. Edinson Cavani is sidelined due to injury and not selected, so 36-year-old Luis Suarez is back on the national team for the first time since 2022. However, it is anticipated that he will be on the bench.
Argentina expected lineup:
E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; Mac Allister, Fernandez, De Paul; Messi, Alvarez, Gonzalez
Uruguay expected lineup:
Richet; Nandez, R. Araujo, Caceres, M. Olivera; Ugarte, Valverde; Pellistri, De la Cruz, Rodriguez; Nunez
Prediction:
Argentina appears unbeatable, demonstrating dominance both defensively and offensively. We also believe they are too strong for Uruguay to have a chance, but in terms of goal-scoring, we don't expect a high-scoring match. Therefore, we choose to predict Argentina to win and under 2.5 goals in the game with odds of 3.25.