Argentina vs Venezuela
There’s work to be done and there’s no room for any slip-ups either.
That’s because Argentina, as it stands, are outside of the automatic qualifying spots for next year’s World Cup.
Sports betting fans, you are correct in saying it’s highly unlikely the defeated finalists from 2014 will miss out on a place in Russia.
But they need to start winning football games quickly and, as they prepare to welcome the bottom side in the group, anything other than victory in Buenos Aires can’t be tolerated.
The betting odds, naturally, favour them to see off a Venezuelan side which has a record of -17 goals and seven points from their 15 games so far (even if they come off the back of an impressive goalless draw with Colombia).
The Asian Handicap odds of -3.00 Argentina @ 2.28 sum it up really.
New national coach Jorge Sampaoli has made a decent start and, with home matches against both Venezuela and Peru to come, it’s hard to see how, at the very least, the Argentines won’t seal a playoff spot.
The reliance on Lionel Messi – Argentina have picked up 16 points from seven games with him in the team and accumulated just seven from eight games without – is clear to see and is something Sampaoli will need to address should they reach Russia.
Venezuela may be missing key midfielder Tomas Rincon from this encounter, but they have nothing to lose and may well attack without fear.
In truth, that should play into Argentina hands even if their defence looks vulnerable.
With that in mind, there is a certain appeal about the odds offered of Over 3.75 goals @ 2.06.
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
