ARGENTINA have no margin for error after their Saudi shocker and head into their second Group C game against Mexico with their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread.
Nobody thought Argentina's 36-game unbeaten run would come to an end against Saudi Arabia, especially when they led 1-0 at half-time after having three goals ruled out for offside.
But they conceded twice early in the second half and couldn't mount a rescue mission, leaving Lionel Messi staring at an early exit in what should be his last World Cup.
The good news for under-fire boss Lionel Scaloni was that Poland and Mexico then drew in the other group game so Argentina can still qualify for the knockout stages if they win their next two matches.
Mexico were a tad fortunate to avoid defeat in their opener with veteran keeper Guillermo Ochoa saving a penalty from Robert Lewandowski to secure a stalemate with the Poles.
Manager Gerardo Martino was under a bit of pressure heading into the World Cup and Mexico's opening display will have done little to silence the critics.
But they still stand a good chance of reaching the last 16 and the Mexicans will know Argentina's nerves will be jangling after that horror show against Saudi Arabia.
How the bookies view it
Argentina are still odds-on favourites at 51/100 with Highbet despite that opening defeat. Mexico are as big as 5/1 with the draw paying 14/5.
Head to head
Argentina have been a bogey team for the Mexicans, going 10 games unbeaten in this fixture since a 1-0 loss at the 2004 Copa America. The last three meetings have ended in Argentina victories, including a 4-0 friendly triumph when they last faced off two years ago.
Players to watch
Slips Tips was banking on both Messi and Lautaro Martinez scoring in Argentina's opener so he must have been raging when VAR ruled out two goals from the Inter striker after Messi's early penalty. Martinez took his ‘goals' superbly though so looks a good shout for anytime scorer in this one at 43/25 with Highbet.
Winger Hirving Lozano looks Mexico's most dangerous player and his pace could unsettle Scaloni's defence. The Napoli forward is 43/10 with Highbet to score and McBookie price him at 6/1 for an assist.
Anything else catch the eye?
Argentina need to go for the win so it bodes well for an open game, with Mexico looking to hit them on the break. Over 2.5 goals is 57/50 with Unibet while Highbet have BTTS at 101/100.
With so much at stake we could see some desperate challenges so I'd expect the referee to be busy. Even over 4.5 cards is odds-on at 22/25 with Highbet so it's better looking at individual cards. Edson Alvarez has collected seven yellows for Ajax this term and is 49/20 at Unibet to pick up a card here.
Argentina should have most of the ball and the pressure so I fancy them at -2.5 in the corner handicap, which pays 11/10 at Highbet.
This World Cup match between Argentina and Mexico will be played on Nov 26, 2022 and kick off at 19:00. Check below for our tipsters best Argentina vs Mexico prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
