Monday’s football tips: Go for cards at evens as Austrians bid to stop Messi and Argentina

Argentina fired out a statement of intent by thrashing Algeria in their World Cup opener and will be looking to turn on the style again tonight against Austria.

Any notion that Lionel Messi might be past it at the age of 38 was dispelled as he scored a brilliant hat-trick in that 3-0 win over the Algerians.

But Austria also started well with a 3-1 win over Jordan and should give the world champions a better run for their money tonight.

Argentina vs Austria top betting tips

The Austrians are renowned for pressing with intensity under boss Ralf Rangnick so it will be interesting to see how Argentina cope with that.

Going for card and fouls bets looks like a smart move as the Austrians are likely to steam into challenges and that could lead to an angry response.

Bet365 are offering evens on over 3.5 cards and that looks worth a punt while backing both sides to pick up two or more cards is a bit bigger at 9/4.

Konrad Laimer and Xaver Schlager both committed over 1.5 fouls against Jordan so I'm going to back them to repeat that against a higher standard of opponent. Doubling up over 1.5 fouls for both Austrians pays 17/10 in a bet builder.

France vs Iraq

Iraq lived up to their billing as Group I whipping boys by losing 4-1 to Norway and it could get ugly for them tonight if France are on top form.

Les Bleus turned in an impressive second-half display as they beat Senegal 3-1 in their opener, with star man Kylian Mbappe bagging a double.

The Real Madrid star had four shots on target in that game and will have plenty more pops at goal as he steps up his bid for the Golden Boot.

Mbappe is 11/10 at Bet365 for over 2.5 efforts on target tonight and that looks good if he's in the same kind of mood.

Iraqi defender Zaid Tahseen committed three fouls and picked up a yellow card against the Norwegians. He's a tempting 2/1 at Bet365 for over 1.5 fouls tonight.

Norway vs Senegal

Norway will be brimming with confidence after thrashing Iraq in their opening World Cup game but tonight's clash with Senegal represents a huge step up in class.

Although the Senegalese lost their opener to France, they put on a decent display and probably deserved to be ahead at half time.

There's not much between these sides so the half-time draw looks like a good option tonight and it pays 6/5 with Bet365.

Nicolas Jackson led the line well for Senegal in that clash with Les Bleus and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.

He will be a pest for the Norwegian defence and looks decent value at 8/5 to score or assist, which could be a popular choice on World Cup betting apps.

Super singles

• Over 3.5 cards in Argentina vs Austria Evens Bet365
• Zaid Tahseen over 1.5 fouls 2/1 Bet365
• Half-time draw in Norway vs Senegal 6/5 Bet365

Upcoming match previews and betting tips

• Mon 18:00 Argentina vs Austria
• Mon 22:00 France vs Iraq
• Tue 01:00 Norway vs Senegal
• Tue 04:00 Jordan vs Algeria

Racing tips

A new week of racing gets underway today and Rizzel has a 5/1 pick for Windsor.

• Monday’s Racing Tips – A falling handicap mark gives Rhythm N Hooves a chance to bounce back to form

As always, post your own tips and comments below.

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