Uruguay vs Argentina
As South America’s oldest rivals, it’s unsurprising that these two nations have a bit of previous.
History shows some tempestuous clashes in the record books and, before you bet online and study the betting odds ahead of their latest meeting, there’s much to consider.
Put simply, the nation which gave us Diego Armando Maradona, Mario Kempes, Lionel Messi and the like, is in real danger of missing out on automatic qualification to next summer’s World Cup party should they lose this one.
If Asian Handicap is your tipple, then the odds actually favour Jorge Sampaoli’s team: – 0.25 Argentina @ 1.98, compared to 0.00 Uruguay @ 2.33.
Perhaps that is because, despite sitting in third place in qualifying (the top four automatically seal a place to Russia 2018) a point and two places clear of Argentina, Uruguay’s form is equally poor.
Their last three qualifiers have ended in defeat. To go down to Brazil (who have breezed through and already sealed their spot) and Chile was half expected, but few saw a 2-1 reverse in Peru coming.
However, Argentina can hardly be overconfident, either. Their last qualifier resulted in defeat to lowly Bolivia in March, and they have won just two of their last seven qualification contests.
The good news for them is Messi has seen his four-match ban for abusing an official overturned.
It was Messi who settled the corresponding game back in September, and there is a buzz his return could shift matters in their favour once again.
Certainly, Sampaoli announced when he left Sevilla and was appointed manager of the national side that he intended to build his team around the magician.
His tactical knowledge will no doubt benefit them at the international level but after two friendly triumphs, this trip across the Rio de la Plata to take on their oldest rivals provides his first real test. There is no room in his team for any slip-ups.
This is when the real work begins for Sampaoli.
Victory in Montevideo and Argentina are surely back on the road to Russia.
Defeat and it’s a long road back!
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
