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December 2 2022, 15:36 · Trystan Pugh

Argentina vs Australia – Round of 16 – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup

Argentina vs Australia – Round of 16 – Preview & Prediction | 2022 FIFA World Cup
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THE FACTS

When is Argentina vs Australia on and what time does it start? Argentina vs Australia will take place on Saturday 3rd December, 2022 – 19:00 (UK)

Where is Argentina vs Australia taking place? Argentina vs Australia will take place at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar

Where can I get tickets for Argentina vs Australia? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Argentina vs Australia

What channel is Argentina vs Australia on in the UK? Argentina vs Australia will be televised live on BBC / Argentina vs Australia will be televised live on ITV

Where can I stream Argentina vs Australia in the UK? Argentina vs Australia can be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app / Argentina vs Australia can be streamed live on the ITV Hub

THE LOWDOWN

ARGENTINA

  • Argentina claimed the win they needed against Poland to book their spot in the Round of 16 and they were even able to top Group C despite their shock loss in their opening game against Saudi Arabia.
  • The Argentines have now won back-to-back matches, both without conceding, and will hope to take that momentum into this contest where very few changes are expected, although Lisandro Martinez could return in the heart of the defence.

AUSTRALIA

  • Australia stunned Denmark to finish in second place in Group D as they made it successive victories in a FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history which will leave them in buoyant mood ahead of this encounter with Argentina.
  • The Socceroos were superb against the Danes and ultimately deserved their victory as they limited the chances their opponents had and they could well name the same starting XI for this contest.

THE TEAM NEWS

ARGENTINA

PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): E. Martinez; Montiel, Otamendi, L. Martinez, Acuna; Mac Allister, Fernandez, De Paul; Alvarez, Messi, Di Maria

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE:

AUSTRALIA

PREDICTED XI (4-1-4-1): Ryan; Degenek, Souttar, Rowles, Behich; Mooy; Leckie, Irvine, McGree, Goodwin; Duke

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE:

THE KEY STATS

  • Argentina and Australia are meeting for the first time in a World Cup final competition match. They did play-off over two legs in the qualifying tournament for USA 1994 with Argentina claiming a 2-1 aggregate victory
  • Overall, this is the eighth meeting between the two nations, with Argentina winning five times (D1 L1). Australia’s only victory came in their first ever encounter in 1988 (W 4-1)
  • Argentina have kept four clean sheets in their last six matches against Australia
  • Argentina have been successful in six of their last eight World Cup round of 16 ties: W6 (inc 1 PSO) L2
  • Three of Argentina’s last five World Cup round of 16 matches have required extra-time
  • Eight of Argentina’s last 15 matches in the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds have required extra-time
  • This is Argentina’s first World Cup knockout round match against non-European opposition since they faced Mexico in the round of 16 in 2010
  • Argentina have qualified from the opening round group stage in 13 of their last 14 FIFA World Cup appearances
  • Argentina have lost only one of their last 39 international matches (W27 D11)
  • Argentina have kept 15 clean sheets in their last 18 international matches
  • Argentina have scored two or more goals in five of their last six World Cup round of 16 matches
  • This is Argentina’s first World Cup knockout round match against team representing the AFC. Overall, their World Cup record against AFC teams is W4 L1, with their only defeat coming against Saudi Arabia in their opening game of Qatar 2022
  • Against Poland, Lionel Messi became Argentina’s all-time leading appearance-maker with 22 appearances in FIFA World Cup matches surpassing Diego Maradona’s 21. An appearance in this game would see him move joint-third on the all-time list alongside Paolo Maldini (23), and only behind Miroslav Klose (24) and Lothar Matthäus (25)
  • Australia’s only previous match in the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds was a 1-0 defeat against Italy in the round of 16 in 2006
  • Australia are without a win in their previous four World Cup matches against South American opposition (D1 L3). They have lost three successive games since a 0-0 draw against Chile in 1974
  • Australia have won two successive FIFA World Cup matches for the first time
  • Australia have qualified from their group for the second time. The only previous occasion was 2006
  • Australia have only failed to score in two of their last 11 FIFA World Cup matches
  • Australia have kept two successive clean sheets for the first time in World Cup history
  • Mathew Leckie and Mathew Ryan are set to become the first Australian players to make ten appearances in the FIFA World Cup

THE PREDICTION

Argentina claimed a straightforward success against a poor Poland side to book their spot in the next round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and they will feel like they are coming into form after claiming back-to-back victories. Opponents Australia have also won their last two after seeing off Tunisia and Denmark to secure their berth in the Round of 16 which was a major surprise. They will hold no fear against the Argentines but this is a huge challenge for the Socceroos and they are likely to fall short in this encounter with Argentina likely to keep them at bay.

TIP: ARGENTINA TO WIN TO NIL

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