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Argentina vs Australia will give continuance to the FIFA World Cup 2022 knockouts this Saturday. Australia and Argentina both had the same nature of advancement towards the last 16. Each of them faced defeats at their opening match but turned the ties in their favor in their respective next two matches.

The South Americans restored themselves to one of the title contenders with their last two group matches while Australia defied expectations when they tagged along with their group topper, France to secure a place in the last 16 all while edging out this tournament’s dark horse, Denmark.

Australia hadn’t reached the last 16 since the 2006 World Cup in Germany and many consider that this might be the best for them in the ongoing competition. But the catch about one-game knockouts in international tournaments is that upsets are common.

Argentina vs Australia Recent Team News And Expected Lineups

Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni will have it fine if he doesn’t put any thought into his starting lineups even by a bit. However, left-back Marcos Acuna may be one of the first men from Poland outing that Scaloni is having a second thoughts about. It shouldn’t be surprising to see Lyon’s left-back Nicolas Tagliafico handling Acuna’s position from the first second. Speaking of the same area, the defense sensation from the last two matches, Lisandro Martinez could this time move to the center backing up the other inevitable man in those areas, Otamendi. Receiving a promotion to starting eleven in this world cup itself is Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez who even fans want to continue among the first men for the whole tournament. A notable confusion for coach Scaloni upfront will be Lautaro Martinez vs Julian Alvarez. The latter has been proving himself to be more lethal in the attacking than what was expected of Martinez.

Similar to Argentina, Australia, too, has a few or two concerns in their starting eleven. The unpredictability in the Socceroos has been in their right back. Three players, Nathaniel Atkinson, Fran Karacic, and Milos Degenek respectively started in that area for Australia in its games against France, Tunisia, and Denmark. Adelaide United forward Craig Goodwin seemingly showed the necessity to be subbed off in the game against Denmark after the first half. His replacement St Mirren defensive midfielder Keanu Bacos however would go on to perform impressively in the mid. This supposedly has put Australia’s coach, Graham Arnold in a bit tough impasse regarding who he thinks should go first in the upcoming fixture, Goodwin or Bacos.

Despite coming from Japan’s second-tier league, forward Mitchell Duke is very much doubtless to lead the attack of the Oceanic nation. The only man to score against Denmark and the subsequent hero, Mathew Leckie shouldn’t even come into the discussion.

Argentina vs Australia Possible Lineups

Argentina: E. Martinez; Molina, Otamendi, Romero, Tagliafico; Mac Allister, Fernandez, De Paul; Alvarez, Messi, Di Maria

Australia: Ryan; Karacic, Souttar, Rowles, Behich; Mooy; Leckie, Irvine, McGree, Goodwin; Duke

Argentina vs Australia Predictions

On one hand, it should be super easy to pick the favorites in this fixture. However, for all the reputation that major international tournaments have for entertaining surprises, this world cup is just giving a bit much. The progress of Australia itself is an example of it. The main mantra for Australia will definitely be going with all ten men in the low block and hitting on the counter but Poland very much tried to do that only to fail.

Logicality is certain to be seen in the outcome of this match as evident from previous matches; Argentina simply has far too much quality in its attack to be stopped using all the men at the extreme end. Although Australia can keep the South Americans at bay for certain periods, Argentina’s world-class quality in the final third will eventually come at them more and more dangerous as the match progresses toward the conclusion.

Our projected Scoreline: Argentina wins it with two goals in the second half.

Argentina vs Australia Most Recent Odds

Argentina vs Australia Previous Stats Of Each Team

source: bet 365