Argentina vs. Nigeria Prediction
Argentina still has a pulse but will need a win over Nigeria plus a loss by Iceland to Croatia in order to rise from the dead. Will Argentina overcome its lackluster performances the first two Group D matches to take care of business today?
Game Snapshot
97815 Argentina vs. 97816 Nigeria
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Saint Petersburg Stadium at 2PM ET
TV: FOX
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, Argentina is a -200 favorite to win on the moneyline. Nigeria is a +500 underdog, while a draw bet is set at +345. The total is listed at 3 goals.
Argentina searching for magical performance
There were only a handful of squads with better odds than Argentina to win the World Cup, but after a stunning 1-1 draw versus Iceland and a 3-0 defeat last week against Croatia it has left Argentina desperate in its hopes to advance to the knockout stage. Argentina must win its match today and then hope for the aforementioned Croatia victory over Iceland before it can breathe easy again. Anything less and Argentina will be headed home. Croatia scored its goals in the 53rd, 80th and post-90th minutes. Argentina had 58 percent of the possession, registering 10 shots (three on goal) while giving up 15 shots (five on goal). Argentina had five corner kicks and was ruled offsides three times.
Nigeria in good spot to advance
If Nigeria can record a victory over Argentina today it will advance, while a draw or any result short of Iceland beating Croatia by three or more goals will also allow the Nigerians to advance. Nigeria is coming off a 2-0 win over Iceland last Friday, with a pair of goals by Ahmed Musa in the 49th and 75th minutes providing the difference. Nigeria held 56 percent of the possession, notching 16 shots (four on goal). Iceland had 10 shots with three on goal. The contest was fairly clean with Nigeria only called for nine fouls (one yellow card), while Iceland was handed 10 fouls (no yellow cards). Nigeria manufactured six corner kicks and was called offsides once.
Prediction:
Oh man. This game should be fun as Argentina will be playing with a ton of desperation. I expect fantastic performances from Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero here. The Argentinians are simply too talented to go through group play without a single win. Nigeria is a solid side, but a focused Argentina squad might be too much to handle.
WORLD CUP DAILY PREDICTION: ARGENTINA -200