Australia World Cup Odds: Preview & Predictions On Australia vs Argentina

Australia vs Argentina Predictions:

• Australia +2 Asian Handicap – 1.73 with Unibet
• Lionel Messi To Score – 2.05 with Unibet 
• Both To Score – 2.65 with Ladbrokes
• Second Half To Be The Highest Scoring Half – 2.05 with Bet365

The Socceroos must find a way to thwart legendary forward Lionel Messi when they take on Argentina in their World Cup Round of 16 clash.

Australian betting sites make Argentina the overwhelming favourites to secure victory in this knockout stage match.

However, Graham Arnold’s men can take a great deal of confidence from their back-to-back victories over Tunisia and Denmark.

That ensured they clinched second place in Group D, having finished level on points with reigning world champions France.

It teed up a daunting showdown with Messi, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner who is determined to secure World Cup glory before retiring. 

This exciting match will take place at 6am AEDT on Sunday, so make sure you set your alarm to watch the drama unfold.

We have assessed the options available and found some interesting markets to consider.

Can Australia Cause An Upset Against Argentina?

Australia are 17.0 underdogs with World Cup betting sites for this match, which reflects the gulf in quality between the teams.

You can find 7.0 on the draw, while Bet365 has a market leading price of just 1.20 on Argentina to secure victory.

That is understandable when you assess the talent within the Argentina squad.

Messi, the 35-year-old forward is probably playing in his last World Cup, is the star of the show, but the supporting cast in attack features the brilliant Lautaro Martínez, Manchester City striker Julian Álvarez and playmaker Angel Di Maria.

They have solid players down the spine of the team, including Christian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi and Rodrigo De Paul, so it is easy to see why they went into the tournament as second favourites in the World Cup odds.

However, Argentina have not exactly set the world alight in this competition so far. 

They lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia, before beating Mexico 2-0 and Poland 2-0, and they have often lacked fluidity in attack.

You can find odds of 1.73 on Australia +2 Asian handicap at Unibet, which means you will be paid out if the Socceroos win, draw or lose by a single goal, and you will get your money back if they lose by two goals, so that looks appealing.

Tip: Australia +2 Asian Handicap – 1.73 with Unibet

Back Lionel Messi To Score

Messi is playing like a man possessed as he bids to finally add the World Cup to his bulging trophy cabinet.

The PSG superstar converted a penalty in the defeat to Saudi Arabia, and he then drilled in a long-range strike in the 2-0 victory over Mexico.

Messi missed from the penalty spot against Poland last time out, as Wojciech Szczęsny made a terrific save, but the great man will be determined to make amends in the Round of 16.

He has scored 10 goals in his last 13 games for club and country, he could cause Australia’s defence plenty of problems in this match and is well worth a punt on the best football betting sites.

Tip: Lionel Messi To Score – 2.05 with Unibet

Can Australia Find The Back Of The Net?

Can Australia Find The Back Of The Net?

It is worth noting that the Socceroos have scored in all three games thus far during their impressive World Cup run.

Craig Goodwin opened the scoring in the 4-1 defeat to France, and Mitchell Duke found the back of the net with a powerful header in the 1-0 win against Tunisia.

Mathew Leckie then scored his 14th international goal for Australia to put Denmark to the sword in their final group stage game.

It was a magnificent strike from the Melbourne City forward, who twisted Joakim Maehle inside out before firing past Kasper Schmeichel into the bottom corner.

Argentina have recorded back-to-back clean sheets since losing to the Saudis, but Otamendi and Romero are not exactly rock solid. 

Australia look capable of getting on the score sheet in this match at decent odds with Ladbrokes.

Tip: Both Teams To Score – 2.65 with Ladbrokes

Back The Game To Come Alive In The Second Half

Six of the seven goals scored in Argentina’s group stage matches came in the second half.

They were 1-0 up at the break against Saudi Arabia before conceding twice as the game wore on.

Their matches against both Mexico and Poland were delicately poised at 0-0 at half-time, before they turned the screw in the second half.

The Socceroos will dig in and try to thwart Messi in the first half, so we could see a low-scoring first 45 minutes, before the game explodes into life after the break.

Odds of 2.05 at Bet365 on the second half to produce the most goals are appealing, as some rival betting sites are only offering 1.73 on that market.

Tip: Mitchell Duke Over 0.5 Shots on Target – 2.05 with Bet365