Argentina v Saudi Arabia predictions: Main man Messi can make a flying start

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Argentina v Saudi Arabia in World Cup Group C on Tuesday.

Where to watch

ITV, 10am Tuesday

Best bet

Lionel Messi to score two or more goals
2pts 16-5 Betfair, Paddy Power

Messi's brilliant displays for Paris St-Germain this season have been a major factor in the gamble on Argentina to win the World Cup and he has scored ten goals in his last four appearances for the Albiceleste.

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Match preview

Italy arrived at Euro 2020 last year on a long unbeaten run and went home with the trophy, and plenty of World Cup punters are expecting a similar feat from Argentina.

The Albiceleste made it 36 internationals without defeat by thrashing the UAE 5-0 in a friendly last week and that sequence, coupled with Lionel Messi's excellent early-season form for Paris St-Germain, has seen them slashed for World Cup glory.

Argentina were rated 12-1 shots after the group-stage draw in April but those odds have tumbled to 11-2 and their backers will be expecting a commanding start to the campaign against Group C underdogs Saudi Arabia.

The Saudis finished ahead of Japan and Australia in World Cup qualifying but are 6-1 to qualify from a section featuring Poland and Mexico as well as group favourites Argentina.

Much-travelled French coach Herve Renard, whose CV includes spells in charge of Zambia, Ivory Coast, Morocco and Cambridge United, has a limited squad at his disposal, which explains why his Saudi Arabia side are as big as 22-1 to end Argentina's unbeaten run in Lusail.

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has succeeded where so many of his predecessors have failed in building a national team that gets the best out of star man Messi, player of the tournament and joint-top goalscorer when the Albiceleste won the Copa America in Brazil last year.

That was Messi's first major international silverware, coming 16 years after he made his Argentina debut, and the resurgent 35-year-old is now intent on delivering his country's first World Cup since 1986.

The Saudis will not want to dwell on the ruthlessness shown by Argentina in recent fixtures, starting with a 3-0 win over European champions Italy at Wembley in June.

Lautaro Martinez, Angel Di Maria and Paulo Dybala were on the scoresheet against the Azzurri but Messi has been at the heart of things since then, scoring all five goals in a 5-0 friendly win over Estonia and bagging braces in the 3-0 victories against Honduras and Jamaica in September.

Another goal in last week's rout of the UAE took his tally to ten in four games leading up to the World Cup and Messi's Golden Boot backers will anticipate a strong start against the Saudis.

At bigger than 3-1, the PSG superstar is worth backing to score at least twice against a Saudi side who were thumped 5-0 by Russia in their opening game of the 2018 World Cup.

Key stat

Argentina have won seven of their last eight internationals to nil.

Team news

Argentina
Defender Cristiano Romero is expected to be fit. Thiago Almada and Angel Correa were late replacements for the injured Joaquin Correa and Nicolas Gonzalez.

Saudi Arabia
Riyadh Sharahili and Hassan Tambakti are the only fitness doubts for the Saudis.

Probable teams

Argentina (4-3-3) E Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Mac Allister; Messi, L Martinez, Di Maria

Saudi Arabia (4-3-3) Al-Owais; Al-Ghannam, Al Bulaihi, Al-Amri, Al-Shahrani; Kanno, Al-Faraj, Al-Malki; Al-Najei, Al-Shehri, Al-Dawsari

Inside info

Argentina

Top scorer in probable team Lionel Messi
Star player Lionel Messi
Penalty taker Lionel Messi
Assist ace Lionel Messi
Set-piece aerial threat Cristian Romero
Card magnet Nicolas Otamendi

Saudi Arabia

Top scorer in probable team Salem Al-Dawsari
Star player Salem Al-Dawsari
Penalty taker Salem Al-Dawsari
Assist ace Salem Al-Dawsari
Set-piece aerial threat Mohammed Kanno
Card magnet Abdulelah Al-Amri

Argentina v Saudi Arabia Bet Builder

Argentina to win to nil
This bet has copped in seven of the Albiceleste's last eight games, including a 3-0 win over European champions Italy
Lionel Messi to score at any time
The PSG star was player of the tournament at last year's Copa America and has scored ten times in his last four internationals
Angel Di Maria to have over 2.5 shots
The winger looked sharp against the UAE last week, scoring twice in the first half, and he should get chances in the World Cup opener

Price guide 3-1 with bet365