Argentina v Chile betting tips: Messi to inspire La Albiceleste
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Preview and odds for Argentina v Chile
Argentina and Chile meet in a World Cup qualifier for the first of two games inside 10 days.
La Albiceleste then kick-off their Copa America campaign against La Roja in Brazil having been due to host the tournament until last week when it was moved because of rising coronavirus numbers in the country.
The teams drew 0-0 in a friendly when they last met in September 2019, two months after a Copa America third-place play-off which Argentina won 2-1 with goals from Sergio Aguero and Paulo Dybala.
Argentina go into this meeting as favourites to win at 8/15 with Chile 9/2 and the draw priced at 13/5.
Here we take a look at some Argentina v Chile betting tips.
Match odds
An Argentina side containing Lionel Messi will always have that X Factor about it as the Barcelona playmaker can be relied upon to do something special to inspire his country to victory.
Despite losing home advantage ahead of the tournament, Argentina are still regarded as one of the favourites with an array of stars who currently ply their trade at some of the world’s top clubs.
In the both teams to score market, Argentina are 12/5 to take the win, Chile are 9/1 for victory and the draw comes in at 4/1.
With attacking threats from the likes of Messi, Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria, there are likely to be plenty of goals in the game with 3-0 to Argentina priced at 10/1 and over 2.5 goals at 5/6.
Argentina v Chile head-to-head
Argentina hold the upper hand in the head-to-head meetings with 61 victories to Chile’s eight while there have been 22 draws between the two nations.
You have to go back to 2008 to find Chile’s last win without a penalty shootout when they beat Argentina 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Santiago courtesy of a goal from Fabian Orellana. Chile’s manager that day was an Argentinian – current Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa.
Chile triumphed in 2015 and 2016 in the Copa America when both matches went to penalty shootouts.
Previous XI
Argentina: Armani, Tagliafico, Otamendi, Martinez, Montiel, Gonzalez, Lo Celso, Paredes, De Paul, Messi, Martinez.
Chile: Bravo, Maripan, Isla, Diaz, Vidal, Meneses, Pinares, Pulgar, Beausejour, Sanchez, Mora.
Key battles
Martinez is a Serie A winner with Inter Milan following their surprise triumph in Italy and the striker is set to have a major impact in the Copa America.
Tottenham midfielder Giovanni Lo Celso will want to put an injury-hit season in the Premier League behind him and shine on the international stage.
Messi also had a disappointing club campaign as Barcelona missed out on the La Liga and Champions League titles and can banish those bad memories with a starring role in Brazil.
Di Maria also fell short on the club front as Paris St Germain were dramatically pipped to the Ligue 1 title and missed out in Europe and having been on the bench last time out will hope to start against Chile.
Gary Medel is one of Chile’s most famous footballing exports as the defensive midfielder has played in Spain with Sevilla, Turkey with Besiktas as well as in Italy with Inter Milan and currently Bologna and Cardiff fans will also remember his time at the Welsh club.
A Copa America winner with Chile in both 2015 and 2016, he will look to perform well against Argentina.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
