Argentina v Belgium World Cup 2014, 5th July Betting Preview
A tight duel is expected between these two as neither have quite lived up to expectations and all games won by both have come by a one goal margin. So this could well be a drawn out affair with extra time looking like a big possibility in this one.
Argentina v Belgium Betting Tips
Argentina are favourites here, but Belgium are going to have plenty of backers, because the Albiceleste haven’t found their top gear. But they have been grinding out results and that makes them a danger. They have faced Belgium four times before and Argentina have won three of them. In those matches, the South Americans have scored 10 and conceded four. But this one should be tight and worth looking under 2.5 goals for it. Two of the meetings came at the World Cup, each taking one win.
Argentina have only suffered one defeat in their last nine matches played at the World Cup, and they have won all four of their matches at Brazil 2014 (including extra time) as have Belgium, so something has to give here. A reason to be cautious for Argentina in that they have only won 6 of 19 games played against European nations at the World Cup. They are back in the quarter finals for the third time in a row, but 1990 was the last time that they got past the stage. Argentina have not won any of their last four World Cup quarter finals outright, the three times they have progressed from this stage has been by penalty shoot out.
This could go to extra time and if it does, Argentina should take ascendancy, as they have won six of their seven World Cup games which have gone to extra time. Wouldn’t look for anything other than a 1 goal winning margin for either of them, because all matches won by both sides so far at Brazil 2014 have all been by a single goal. Argentina to win by 1 goal is trading at 11/4, while Belgium are running at 4/1. Argentina are basically relying on Angeli Di Maria and Lionel Messi, with Messi having had input in five of their seven goals so far at the tournament. Messi is even money favourite in the anytime goalscorer market. Argentina have produced the second highest amount of shots at Brazil 2014 so far, with only Belgium having produced 3 more than them.
Belgium are in the quarter finals of the World Cup for just the second time in their history. They ended up finishing fourth the last time that they got to this stage. They have scored six goals in the tournament so far, and all of them have been scored in 70th minute or later, and four of their six having been scored by substitutes. Divock Origi looked sharp in the round of sixteen against the USA upfront after replacing Lukaku, but Lukaku looked sharp again in his substitute appearance and both are 3/1 shots in the anytime goalscorer market. Like Argentina, Belgium have won their last six matches in a row and are still looking for their top gear and fluency. They may have the defence to stand up against Argentina though.
Argentina v Belgium Betting Odds
Argentina 6/5, Draw 23/10, Belgium 11/4
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Argentina v Belgium Predictions
This should be a pretty tight affair and it could well go all the way. Neither have been that impressive so far, certainly not up front. It could keep the score low, but the way that Argentina are grinding makes them dangerous, and Argentina to win by 1 goal at 11/4 looks like some value.
