Prediction, Odds & Betting tips for Netherlands vs. Argentina | Group Stage, World Cup Qatar 2022
Prediction, Odds & Betting tips for Netherlands vs. Argentina | Group Stage, World Cup Qatar 2022
These two teams have a super-interesting history at the World Cups, and we’ve seen them clashing in big games on several occasions. One of those meetings was even in the finals and a few others in the knockout stage. Both the Netherlands and Argentina play good football, each in its own characteristic way. While the Netherlands attacks and controls its rivals like that, Argentina has a rock-solid defense and a very rough midfield, which prevents the opponents from imposing their style.
Netherlands
Oranje is in solid shape, and that’s mostly because of Cody Gakpo, who showed all of his talents in Qatar. The PSV midfielder was one of the most promising players in the world, but we can say without any doubt that he is now among the best, and is no longer a potential.
The Netherlands has three wins and a draw so far, scoring multiple goals in all of its victories, keeping a high productivity and efficiency upfront, while successfully preventing the rivals from threatening.
Van Gaal likes to have his team pushing forward in all circumstances, and having a fast transition, though, we need to add that Oranje has some limited players who aren’t as quick as most of the team (Klaasen and Blind).
Argentina
The shock against Saudi Arabia woke up the Argentinians, and it’s excellent that it came early on because some of the fans (and we think the players, too) were carried away by their 35-game unbeaten streak. After that, came two 2-0 victories over Mexico and Poland, and then in the round of 16, a 2-1 victory over Australia.
Argentina got away in the end because they survived two massive opportunities of the Aussies, but to be honest, it would be unfair for the Gauchos to lose this event. Lautaro Martinez should have scored at least twice before all that, yet Inter’s attacker missed the impossible.
As mentioned, Argentinians play tough football, with Messi leading the way, and also, with Mac Allister giving the pace in the midfield because Brighton’s midfielder has a significant impact on the development in that area of the field.
Netherlands: Noppert; Timber, Van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, De Roon, F. De Jong, Blind; Klaassen; Gakpo, Depay
Argentina: E. Martinez; Molina, Otamendi, Li. Martinez, Acuna; Fernandez, Mac Allister, De Paul; Messi, La. Martinez, Di Maria
Argentina won the World Cup in 1978 by beating the Netherlands in the finals, 3-1, after overtime, and having massive luck. Overall, these teams met at the World Cup five times, with both teams having two wins and one draw.
With all due respect to the Netherlands unit, we think that Argentina has a stronger midfield, and only because of that will they win this game. They are much more rigid and don’t allow ball movement as Oranje got used to. Only because of this factor, is the pick here in Argentina.
Our verdict: Argentina wins