Daniel Coyle
November 24, 2022

Argentina vs. Mexico Prediction: 2022 World Cup Betting Odds

La Albiceleste squandered an early 1-0 lead provided by Lionel Messi by allowing a pair of quick goals after halftime, extending their current dismal run in World Cup action that has produced just one win in six matches since 2014. Mexico are also searching for their first victory of the tournament after playing to a scoreless draw with Poland in Tuesday’s tournament opener.

Despite their recent struggles on the World Cup big stage, Argentina look to Saturday afternoon’s contest as strong -189 favourites, while Mexico lag as +470 underdogs. The odds of this match ending in a draw are pegged at +298, while the total is favoured to finish UNDER 2.5, with -135 odds. Take a look at more of our World Cup betting options here.

Argentina vs. Mexico Betting Analysis

Argentina -217
Draw +325
Mexico +586

Saturday afternoon’s matchup at Lusail Iconic Stadium marks the first non-friendly meeting between these sides since the 2010 World Cup and their first overall clash since 2019. The Argentines have dominated in head-to-head action, keeping clean sheets in three straight wins in friendly competition, capped by a 4-0 rout back in September 2019. Overall, Argentina is undefeated in 10 dates with El Tri across all competitions since dropping a 1-0 decision in group stage action at the 2004 Copa America. Overall, Argentina has outscored Mexico by a wide 26-7 during a 7-3-0 win-draw-loss run, and have also outpaced the Mexicans by an overall 11-5 margin while claiming the win in three straight World Cup meetings.

Argentina

Lionel Messi’s hopes of achieving glory in his final World Cup appearance took a massive hit with Tuesday’s tournament-opening loss. With that defeat, the Albiceleste find themselves at the bottom of the Group C table entering matchday 2 of group stage action. Argentina had no shortage of opportunities during what is being proclaimed as the biggest upset in World Cup history. In addition to a penalty goal from Messi that opened the scoring, the Argentines also had three goals called back on offsides before halftime while denying the Saudis a shot on goal. And after surrendering a pair of quick markers after recess, Argentina maintained enormous pressure but were unable to extend a 36-match unbeaten streak.

In the wake of Tuesday’s loss, Argentina remains perched as diminished +113 favorites to finish atop the Group C table, but now face massive pressure to produce, and halt a dismal 1-1-4 slide at this tournament in which they have been outscored by a 12-7 margin.

Mexico

Mexico were fortunate to escape with a 0-0 draw in their group stage opener after Robert Lewandowski missed the mark on a penalty that would have given Poland the win. The Mexicans largely dominated possession in the early going, but failed to convert that into scoring opportunities apart from an Ernesto Vega header that just missed the mark. Now deadlocked with Poland in second place on the table, El Tri face a massive challenge to end their two-decade long winless slide against an Argentine squad that will be looking to vent their frustrations over their loss to Saudi Arabia. But while Mexico did not produce steady results in the lead up to this year’s tournament, winning just four of their past 12 contests across all competitions, they sport a stout defense that has kept clean sheets six times over their past 12 contests. However, goals have come at a premium at the World Cup, where the Mexicans have been held scoreless throughout their current 0-1-2 run, while surrendering five goals.

This club has also experienced letdowns after the break in recent outings, allowing five total second-half goals over their past four contests. Complicating matters further for Mexico are the yellow cards incurred by defenders Jorge Sanchez and Hector Moreno in Tuesday’s draw, which will force the duo to be on their best behaviour in the face of what is likely to be a ruthless Argentine onslaught.