The Best Bets: Finding the juiciest odds for Group D’s final games
The old saying goes that you are only as good as your last performance. If that is true, then Argentina may as well pack their bags now and return to South America.
Jorge Sampaoli’s side are bottom of Group D after being thrashed 3-0 by Croatia and are on the brink of elimination from the 2018 World Cup. This summer has been nothing short of a disaster for Argentina.
Nigeria’s shock 2-0 win over Iceland on Friday has given Argentina a glimmer of hope going into Wednesday’s final group game but Sampaoli’s side need drastic changes.
Team news and odds in our match preview
Lionel Messi is carrying the expectations of a nation on his shoulders and is visibly feeling the pressure. The Barcelona superstar missed a penalty against Iceland when the score was 1-1 in Argentina’s first game and was rendered redundant against Croatia due to the tactics employed by Sampaoli.
In order to prolong their stay in Russia, Argentina will most likely have to beat Nigeria and hope Iceland fail to beat Croatia in the group’s other game. Unfortunately for Sampaoli, Croatia are expected to field a second string XI against their European counterparts.
The expectation that Argentina will do their bit but crash out of the tournament due to the result in the group’s other game is also misplaced. Nigeria occupy second place and have everything to play for heading into their monumental encounter with Argentina.
Nigeria pulled off a shock 2-0 win over Iceland last time out and will be confident heading into this match. Given the way La Albiceleste have played in their first two matches, there is every chance they can deliver the final nail in Argentina’s coffin.
Bookmaker Coral are offering odds of 6.50 for the Super Eagles to triumph against Argentina and they should be considered.
Team news and odds in our match preview
Even if Argentina beat Nigeria it may not be good enough to finish second, but it would require Iceland matching their result or bettering it to knock Sampaoli’s side out of the tournament.
Iceland kicked off their maiden World Cup campaign with an impressive 1-1 draw with Argentina but let slip of all of their good work after losing to Nigeria in their next match.
Now Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side have to beat group leaders Croatia to have any chance to qualifying for the knockout stage for their second successive major tournament.
This is a difficult match to predict, with Croatia tipped to ring the changes now they have already guaranteed a top-two finish.
Nevertheless, Croatia have a strong squad and will be full of confidence after thrashing Argentina 3-0 in their last outing. Even if they go behind, Croatia will know they have what it takes to come back and win.
In fact, the last time Croatia conceded the first goal was against Senegal in their final World Cup preparation match and they went on to win the game. Ladbrokes have priced Croatia at 11/1 to repeat the feat against a vulnerable Iceland side.
