Argentina are set to play their final warm-up match just seven days before their first game in the World Cup group stage. And they face an opponent that gave them trouble at the 2018 World Cup: Iceland.
La Albiceleste began their final preparations with an easy match against Honduras, in which they faced absolutely no difficulties. They won 2-0, not allowing their opponent a single shot on target.
And they achieved this without many of the starters we expect to see in the World Cup matches, including Lionel Messi. Given the poor form of the Icelandic national team, which prevented them from even qualifying, a similar outcome is expected in this friendly match as well.
Argentina’s last loss in a match where they were the home team or the nominal home team on neutral ground dates back to the end of 2023. Given that Iceland will be traveling halfway around the world for this match, we can assume that La Albiceleste will have a near-home-field advantage in their match in Auburn.
Iceland have not won a single friendly match since the start of the year (D1, L3). The difference in class between the two teams is more than clear, given the gap in the world rankings, where the World Champions are third, and Iceland are 75th.
How the bookies view it: Everyone is expecting an easy victory
You probably won’t be surprised by the odds, which are heavily in Argentina’s favour. We actually expect even lower odds, but for now, you can still back La Albiceleste at 1/5. The draw is priced at 11/2, and an Iceland win at a whopping 11/1.
Recent head-to-head: First clash since the 2018 World Cup
Argentina and Iceland have met only once in their history, but many football fans will remember that very match from the 2018 World Cup. Back then, Iceland made their debut at that level, and to this day, the point against Argentina (1-1) remains their only one from a World Cup.
Since then, however, Argentina have only gotten better, while Iceland bear no resemblance to that strong team capable of surprising even the best.
Players to watch: Lautaro Martinez is gearing up for the World Cup
All eyes will, of course, be on Lionel Messi at this World Cup, but we can’t guarantee that he’ll play in this match. In the previous game against Honduras, he was in the squad and even warmed up before the match, but didn’t get any playing time.
We expect Lautaro Martinez to lead Argentina’s attack once again, and he is in great form following a strong season in which he won the double with Inter Milan.
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Probable line-ups
Argentina: Musso, Martinez, Romero, Giay, Tagliafico, Gonzalez, Simeone, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Martinez, Almada
Iceland: Valdimarsson, Tomasson, Magnusson, Thordarson, Gretarsson, Ellertsson, Hlynsson, Baldursson, Thordarson, Willumsson
Anything else catch the eye?
We expect a completely one-sided match, regardless of Lionel Scaloni’s lineup choices and the rotations he might test one last time.
Iceland didn’t show anything impressive in their friendly against Japan a week ago, and we don’t see how they’d get anywhere near Argentina’s goal. We still see value in the odds, with BTTS-No offered at 11/20 at Bet365.
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