Friday 23rd March 2018
Argentina v Italy 19:45
A heavyweight meeting here as footballing giants Argentina and Italy lock horns in what looks a must-see match.
Italy will be one of the big names absent from the World Cup in the summer after failing to qualify so with nothing to lose here they will be hoping to show football fans what they’ll be missing in Russia.
On the other hand, Argentina are on offer at 10.00 to win the World Cup in Russia this summer and with Messi and co are sure to be extremely popular with punters.
The sides last played in 2013 – with that match finishing Italy 1-2 Argentina, while the last clash played in Argentina saw the Italians take that one 0-1 – a repeat of that score can be backed at 9.50, but it is worth noting out that game did come way back in 1978!
If the FIFA rankings are a guide then with Argentina ranked 4th in the world and Italy 14th then the 1.95 on offer on Argentina winning the match looks a decent value. The draw is 3.30, while Italy are 4.00.
Looking at past head-to-heads though, the teams could also not be more evenly-matched – after 7 games it’s 2 wins a-piece and 3 draws.
Current form sees Italy come into the game having won just 1 of their last 5 matches so really it’s no surprise they didn’t qualify for the World Cup Finals, while, in contrast, Argentina have only lost 1 of their last 8 games.
Both teams have found the back of the net in ALL of the last 5 head-to-heads so at 2.00 this might appeal, but a word of caution as both sides have failed to score in 9 of Argentina’s last 12 games.
However, the better and safer option looks is to side with UNDER 2.5 GOALS. All of Italy’s last 4 matches have gone Under 2.5 goals, while 4 of Argentina’s last 6 have also produced less than 3 goals. Okay, at 1.60 we are not going to get rich overnight, but it’s quite possible these heavyweights of world football could cancel each other out here so siding with a low-scoring game gets the nod.
BEST BET: UNDER 2.5 GOALS @1.60
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Friday 23rd March 2018
Argentina v Italy 19:45
– Last met 2013, Italy 1-2 Argentina
– Last repeat fixture (1978), Argentina 0-1 Italy
– FIFA Rankings, Argentina 4, Italy 14
– Met 7 times, Argentina 2, Draw 3, Italy 2
– Argentina have won the last two head-to-heads 1-2
– Both teams have scored in the last 5 head-to-heads
– Italy have won just 1 of their last 5 games
– Italy’s last 4 games ALL went UNDER 2.5 GOALS
– Argentina have lost just 1 of their last 8 games
– 4 of Argentina’s last 6 games went UNDER 2.5 GOALS
– Both teams DIDN’T score in 9 of Argentina’s last 12 games