Argentina vs. Iceland World Cup odds – Lionel Messi scoring tips

Argentina and it’s little master, Lionel Messi, will look to get off to a hot start at the 2018 FIFA World Cup when it takes on Iceland this Saturday.

Bovada has Argentina as the pretty big betting favorite in this Group D encounter at -300 with Iceland posted at +950 and a draw at +385. The Over/Under for this match is set at 2.5 goals.

In the first match for both teams in Group D Argentina is the major betting favorite taking on Iceland. This match seems to be David vs. Goliath, as Iceland is the least populous nation to make the World Cup this is their debut in the tournament, and Argentina has a guy named Lionel Messi and was the runner-up in the last World Cup. However, Iceland is dangerous and they made a magical run in the 2016 European Championships advancing to the quarterfinals.

This will be the first time these teams have ever met.

You can be sure that Iceland will pack the defensive back line to contain Messi and company, but their recent form has been less than impressive. They have three losses and one draw in their last four friendly matches and they conceded 11 goals in those matches. If their defense plays like that Argentina will feast on them and it could get ugly.

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Messi is joined up front with Gonzalo Higuain, who is also a world-class striker. Ragnar Sigurdsson and Kari Arnason have to be the anchors of the Iceland defense and keep the two Argentina starts in check. Easier said than done, especially facing Messi, who has scored 64 goals in 124 national appearances.

Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson from Burnley has a lot of pressure on him in this match as the leader in the midfield and he has to help out on the defensive side of the pitch and also help to try to mount an attack. Speaking of the attack the best chance Iceland has to score will likely be on the counter-attack. They must pounce on those chances, as they will not come up with much of an attack on their own pacing the defense.

Gylfi Sigurdsson is the main attacker for Iceland, but how many chances will he get up front? Not many, but he has to capitalize on them when they come around.

Argentina was not great in qualifying and in a friendly facing Spain they were throttled losing 6-1. They have much more talent than Iceland throughout the pitch, but they have to stay steady and not lose their focus facing a squad that will mainly be on the defensive side of the pitch.

Iceland only has five players on their squad that are under 25 years of age. Their veteran leadership will be needed in this match, but they are used to playing under pressure as a small nation.

Argentina vs. Iceland Recent Form

Argentina:

23/03/18 – Argentina 2 Italy 0 (Friendly)
27/03/18 – Spain 6 Argentina 1 (Friendly)
28/05/18 – Argentina vs. Nicaragua (Cancelled)
30/05/18 – Argentina 4 Haiti 0 (Friendly)

Iceland:

24/03/18 – Mexico 3 Iceland 0
28/03/18 – Iceland 1 Peru 3
02/06/18 – Iceland 2 Norway 3
07/06/18 – Iceland 2 Ghana 2

Argentina vs. Iceland betting predictions

Iceland will play well in this match, especially in the first half, but not well enough.

Argentina simply has too much firepower with Messi leading the way and they will get a ton of shots in this match.

Iceland will not be embarrassed, but they will also not take any points away with Argentina getting the win by a score of 2-0.

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