Uruguay v Argentina Betting Preview
How La Celeste would love to pull out a win in their final qualification match in the South American zone. Uruguay have been struggling all through to live up to their usual high standards and they enter the final round sitting in fifth place, meaning that if that is how it finishes, they would have to play an intercontinental play-off round against the CAF’s Jordan (who took a dramatic 9-8 penalty shoot out against Uzbekistan). Argentina have already won the CONMEBOL qualification group with relative ease, so will that let Uruguay in with a chance of a win and a potential automatic spot at Brazil 2014?
Uruguay v Argentina Betting Odds at online bookmaker BetFred
Uruguay Evens, Draw 5/2, Argentina 13/5
Online bookmaker Promotion
BetFred’s Double Delight/Hat Trick Heaven promotion looks a decent option for this game where some world class strikers are going to be on show. Back a winning First Goalscorer selection and if that pick goes on to score a second or third in the match then you could be paid out double or treble your original odds respectively. Well worth looking at, and new customers registering an account with online betting site BetFred can take advantage of a great free bet as a welcome bonus too.
Uruguay v Argentina Betting Tips:
It is a long grind to qualify for the World Cup from the South American zone. Brazil haven’t been in the mix as they are hosting next summer’s finals, which has led to the predictable outcome of Argentina topping the table. La Albiceleste have lost just one match along the way, a surprise away defeat against Venezuela. Helped by Lionel Messi of course, along with Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero, Argentina have had plenty of goals in them, as well as some grit in grinding out matches, especially in those tough away matches which come along in this qualification zone. So all has gone well, but there won’t be any Lionel Messi to light things up with goals in midweek, as he is just returning to training from injury. They will also be without Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria, Javier Mascherano and potentially Sergio Aguero.
So the understrength Argentines could be fielding the likes of Ezequiel Lavezzi and Rodrigo Palacio in attack as they try and patch up their losses. Coach Alejandro Sabella may only field a deliberate under strength side as it is anyway, because of already having qualified and nothing being at stake in this one. Good chance to look at the depth of the squad. All the injuries and circumstance really do is open the chance for Uruguay to get that vital win. The top four from the qualification group progress and the problem for Uruguay, is that even with a win, they could need Ecuador or Chile to slip up badly. They are both three points ahead of Uruguay and with better goal differences. However, Chile do host Ecuador in midweek, with both sides knowing that a point will guarantee them a spot in the 2014 World Cup Finals. But if there is a winner in that one, Uruguay really need to put on a show of goals to try and overcome the goal difference factor.
So things may still be out of Uruguay’s hands (not that a play off match against Jordan sounds particularly difficult). But with everything going on, Liverpool’s Luis Suarez, who is joint top scorer in the group alongside Lionel Messi is great 5/4 value in the Anytime Goalscorer Market and 5/1 favorite in the First Goalscorer market. It is likely well worth going over 2.5 goals for this one at odds of 4/5 with online bookmaker BetFred and Both Teams To Score at 4/6 looks like another sure thing. Because of what is at stake in this one, and all the injury issues for the visitors, Uruguay are going as favourites. Argentina though hold a strong head to head lead and from nine previous World Cup qualifying matches between the two, Uruguay have taken just the one victory. Understrength Argentina may well be, but not underestimated.
Prediction
However, given the fact that La Celeste lost at Ecuador on Friday night, and Argentina with a patched up side managed a win, the best value of all could be in an Argentine-Draw Double Chance bet at odds of 5/6.
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Form (all competitions)
Uruguay LDWWWL, Argentina DDWWWW
