Argentina vs Uruguay prediction: SOUTH AMERICA: World Championship – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-11-16 00:00.
The fifth round of CONMEBOL World Cup Qualification (WCQ) includes the 198th edition of one of international footballâs most intense rivalries, the ClĂĄsico del RĂo de la Plata between current world champions Argentina and Uruguay. After a perfect winning start to this WCQ cycle (W4), Argentina are in a strong position to extend their lead in the 121-year history of this head-to-head battle (ARG: W97, D52, L62).
Boosted by the return of Ăngel Di MarĂa and Paulo Dybala, who missed the last pair of games in October, hopes may be high of posting a fifth straight WCQ victory for the first time in more than two decades. In truth, anything but a positive result for La Albiceleste would be a shock as their last WCQ cycle was the first in the 18-game format, discounting one abandoned match against Brazil, in which they posted a completely unbeaten campaign (W11, D6).
Starting this round in second place but still five points behind Argentina, Uruguay (W2, D1, L1) are seeking their first victory over their great rivals in more than a decade (D2, L5 since). Even with a continuation of that woeful streak, a likely outcome considering Uruguay have already failed to win in both of their WCQ away games in this cycle, the expectation is that they will ultimately do enough to qualify for a record fifth consecutive World Cup finals.
Playing away has been a hurdle to catching up with the likes of Argentina and Brazil over recent years, illustrated by just two victories from their last nine WCQ away games (D3, L4). Five of the last seven games in that sequence saw Uruguay concede at least twice, just as they did in five of the last six WCQ away H2Hs (L6). Hopes of turning that poor form around could be boosted by the return of thirty-six-year-old Luis SuĂĄrez, after Marcelo Bielsa left him out of his two previous squads.
Players to watch: With three goals from just two starts in this WCQ campaign, Ballon Dâor holder Lionel Messi has extended his record as Argentinaâs most capped (178 apps) and highest scoring (106 goals) player. Matching him stride for stride, in this WCQ cycle at least, Uruguayâs NicolĂĄs de la Cruz scored in a shock win over Brazil in their last game and has contributed to half of their WCQ goals (G3, A1).
Hot stat: Argentina led at half-time in all but two of their last 15 WCQ victories.