Qatar 2022: Marquee matches #1
As the World Cup moves into the second Group matches, the coming days present some tantalising games, some now with far more riding on them than expected before the competition began.
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Argentina v Mexico, Saturday, 19:00
None more so than Saturday’s Central versus South American clash between Argentina and Mexico.
After Lionel Scaloni’s men suffered what has statistically been proven to be the biggest World Cup shock in history with defeat to Saudi Arabia, this is now close to must-win territory for La Albiceleste – certainly must-not lose.
Mexico would not have expected to have more points than their more illustrious Americas rivals at this stage, but a goalless stalemate against Poland has presented that scenario.
Argentina will be expected to bounce against a side they have beaten on eight of the last nine occasions and a Lautaro Martinez goal and an Argentine win carries a 5/2 punt with BoyleSports.
For Mexico meanwhile, Alexis Vega was central to their efforts against the Poles and the Chivas forward will be hopeful of getting in behind a rocky defence. Vega is 13/2 to score anytime with Bet365.
Another play we will be looking at also will be on cards, with a history of fiery encounters between these two sides.
If we throw Daniele Orsato into the mix as referee, the Italian showed six yellows in the opener between Qatar and Ecuador and should be a busy man here.
For Mexico to have 2+ cards in each half, a 7/1 shot with PaddyPower is interesting, or as another option, for over 5.5 cards to be shown in total might be a better play at 9/5 with Betfair.
France v Denmark, Sunday, 16:00
Sunday, meanwhile, is lining up particularly nicely, and before the evening’s main event, France play Denmark in Doha.
Les Bleus came from behind to beat Australia first up but here, they face a Danish side that beat them home and away in the Nations League this past year.
Christian Eriksen made a momentous return to the international tournament stage against Tunisia and will be keen to assert a greater authority over Les Bleus.
To have 1 or more SOT from outside the box, a 2/1 flutter with Betfair could land, whilst for Denmark to win either half meanwhile, the same price from a boosted 5/4 can be had with BoyleSports.
On the flip side, the French recovered well from an early scare against the Socceroos to romp home 4-1, as Olivier Giroud notched a brace to continue his excellent form this season in Italy for AC Milan.
The former Arsenal and Chelsea man looks good value for at least another here and if France can put behind them two successive losses to the Danes, for Giroud to score and France to win at 9/4 from 5/2 – again with BoyleSports – may be favourable.
Spain v Germany, Sunday, 19:00
Then to the showpiece of the evening as the action moves 35km from the capital to Al Khor and a classic European showdown; One which for Germany, could spell another shock early exit from a major tournament.
As Spain arrive from a seven-nil demolition of Costa Rica, an ever-plucky Japan stunned Hansi Flick’s men last Wednesday, leaving this game with huge stakes at play.
On paper even before kick-off, the odds are not in the Germans favour, having lost four of the last seven versus La Furia Roja, with just one win since the turn of the millennium.
Though their last meeting saw Spain dismantle the Germans 6-0, in the previous five games a maximum of two goals have been scored.
With the stakes high especially for Flick, therefore, this looks like another close encounter and a bet of under 2.5 goals at 3/4 with UniBet could close to double your stake.
Luis Enrique’s charges were in destructive form to open their campaign and Marco Asensio hit a double playing as a false nine between Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres.
The Real Madrid midfielder has had a tough time with injury of late but looks at home in a more advanced role and taking on side already shaken up can be snapped up at 3/1 for an anytime goal with Bet365.
If you are inclined to think DFB Team can turn things around however, hedging your bets with a 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 for Germany is priced at very decent 4/1 with BoyleSports.
