England v Argentina Betting Markets
England and Argentina have met at several World Cups before, with the most notable occasion being the 1986 "Hand of God" clash at the Azteca Stadium. Since then, there was a win for La Albiceleste in an exciting 1998 encounter which went to penalties, with the Three Lions landing a group stage victory in 2002 when a converted David Beckham penalty led to a 1-0 win.
England are marginal favourites to win the game and qualify. They're trading at 2.62 to claim a normal time victory and found a way to achieve this against Congo and Mexico, although they were taken to extra-time by Norway in their last match before finding a way to win. In the group stage, Thomas Tuchel's side defeated Croatia and Panama either side of a goalless draw against Ghana.
As for Argentina, they were able to come through a fairly easy group by winning all their games, although the knockout phase has been a bumpy road. The 1-1 draw with Cape Verde led to extra-time before Lionel Scaloni's men came through 3-2 in extra-time. Then came a dramatic encounter against Egypt when the Pharaohs took a two-goal lead before the holders clawed their way back to land a success.
Some punters may feel as though Argentina are the value bet for a ninety-minute win at odds of 3.00 considering their major tournament prowess. Everyone keeps regarding them as being a non-vintage version but they will scrap hard for their chance to line up against either France or Spain. There is also the small matter of Lionel Messi lining up in what is likely to be his final World Cup.
Julian Alvarez is likely to line up alongside Messi, with the Atletico Madrid star scoring a wonderful effort to help his team over the line against the Swiss. A workmanline Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez and Rodrigo De Paul will operate as the trident and aim to nullify that man Bellingham.
Goals Under/Over
Under 2.5 Goals is a likely outcome according to the latest World Cup betting odds. There's a greater than 60% chance of two goals or less being registered during the ninety minutes. We have to consider that both sides played out a 1-1 draw in their respective quarter final clashes and there might be no quarter given on the pitch.
England will look to try and nullify the threat of Lionel Messi, with their opposite number aiming to snuff out the threat of Jude Bellingham. If those two key players are largely sidelined, it strengthens the possibility of a low-scoring clash. However, the two sides had 3-2 victories at the quarter-final stage and there are plenty of goals within the ranks of both teams.
Considering what's at stake, we might see a cagey game where both teams are respectful of each other and the Unders is probably a valid favourite for this reason.
BTTS
Will both teams score during normal time? England have managed to find the net in five of their six World Cup matches thus far. The only time that the Three Lions failed to register was during that goalless draw against Ghana. Thomas Tuchel's team were frustrated by the Black Stars on that occasion and it took them some time to find a way past a Congo side who initially took the lead before being ground down.
Perhaps it won't be too difficult against an Argentina defence who have conceded in all three knockout matches. Egypt in particularly had La Albiceleste on the ropes and it very much looked as though the South Americans were struggling with the transition moments of that game. However, they are also a team who can score goals.
Ultimately, Lionel Scaloni's side have scored three in each knockout encounter and a sum total of seventeen across the tournament. It's testament to the evergreen qualities of Lionel Messi and there is sure to be plenty of chance creation. We'd rather be a backer of BTTS Yes at a bigger price and can see there being goals in this encounter.
First Goalscorer
Every player is odds-against to be on the scoresheet in this clash. It is Lionel Messi who is regarded as the most likely man to register a goal, with his anytime scorer odds of 2.10 suggesting that the Inter Miami man has a slightly less than 50% of finding the net. The former Barcelona man currently tops the scoring charts with eight although it will be interesting to see if he's on spot kick duties after having his effort saved against Egypt.
Harry Kane failed to score against Norway although the England captain has six for the competition and is considered to be the most likely player to find the net for the Three Lions. The Bayern Munich forward will look to find pockets of space against a questionable Argentina defence, with his strike rate proving to be largely phenomenal for club or country.
However, Jude Bellingham is the star man for England after his virtuoso double against Norway and the Real Madrid player is now tied with Kane on six goals. The former Borussia Dortmund man has popped up with some vital moments in the knockout stage and he's scored consecutive braces in the past two matches.