Prediction: Argentina vs Croatia

Verdict: Argentina to qualify

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

With a spot in the final of this winter’s World Cup up for grabs on Tuesday night, Argentina will meet Croatia at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.

Argentina

Starting with Argentina, while the South American icons might have opened their World Cup adventure on November 23rd with that infamous 2-1 loss against Saudi Arabia, Lionel Scaloni’s men have come roaring back in some style. Eventually avoiding what would have been a real World Cup collapse over the weekend as they edged their way past Holland thanks to a nervy penalty shootout, La Albiceleste have their sights set on making real history in Qatar this month. Watching bitter rivals Brazil shockingly crash out of this year’s tournament at the hands of Croatia a few days ago, Argentina are tipped by many as the leading contender come December 18th. Suffering just a single defeat from any of their last 40 straight contests across all formats, Scaloni’s side also have one attacking talisman who is enjoying a real World Cup purple patch. It should be noted, PSG superstar Lionel Messi has already notched four strikes in the Middle East over the past few weeks

Team News

Picking up a pair of costly bookings against Holland over the weekend, Argentina will be without the defensive duo of Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna on Tuesday night.

Notching a pair of World Cup strikes this winter and continuing to impress in Qatar, Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez should once again partner Messi in attack here.

Croatia

As for Croatia, after shocking many as they reached the final out in Russia four years ago, the Blazers have enjoyed another World Cup romp in Qatar. Mounting a stunning last-gasp comeback against South American heavyweights Brazil over the weekend as they claimed yet another penalties victory, Zlatko Dalic’s men will find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Yet to taste a single World Cup defeat since arriving in the Middle East last month, the European contender have certainly come roaring back from their brief 2021 blip. Now in the midst of an 11-match unbeaten run across all formats, Croatia will also be boosted by their most recent showdown against Tuesday’s opponents. In fact, when Dalic’s high-flying squad faced off against Argentina during the group stage in Russia four years ago, it should be noted that the Blazers claimed a thrilling 3-0 victory.

Team News

Both returning for Croatia’s iconic penalties victory against Brazil over the weekend, both Borna Sosa and Mislav Orsic should retain their spots on Tuesday night.

While Bruno Petkovic might have come off the bench to grab that stunning equalizer against the Selecao, it is expected that Dalic will go with the same starting XI here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off at the 2018 World Cup during their group stage run, Croatia picked up a stunning 3-0 victory.
• However, Argentina have lost just one of their previous 40 straight appearances across all formats – a run that stems all the way back to July 2019.
• Croatia have seen five of their previous six matchups across all competitions finish with under 2.5 goals.
• Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has recorded four World Cup strikes this winter.
• Argentina have recorded over 1.5 goals in nine of their last 10 contests across all formats.

Conclusion

While Croatia might have collected one major South American scalp over the weekend, there is no doubt that the Blazers face a huge test on Tuesday night. Despite claiming that stunning 3-0 win when they last faced off against Argentina out in Russia four years ago, La Albiceleste are rightfully tipped as a standout pick here. Appearing to be riding quite the wave of momentum and with their attacking icon enjoying a real romp in Qatar this month, Scaloni’s men will be desperate to lay down another marker at the Lusail Iconic Stadium. Although we could be in for a low-scoring affair, we’re backing Argentina to book their final ticket on Tuesday.

Verdict: Argentina to qualify

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: Unibet