Brazil vs Argentina prediction: SOUTH AMERICA: World Championship – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-11-21 00:30.
A new chapter in one of international footballâs most recognised rivalries will be written when Brazil and Argentina both look to respond to recent shock defeats. A win in what is often referred to as the âBattle of the Americasâ would be most welcome for a Brazil side who have gone three games without a victory for the first time since November 2019 (D1, L2). They consequently find themselves occupying fifth place in the CONMEBOL qualification table ahead of matchday six.
If results go against them, Brazil could remarkably lose their two-point cushion inside the top-six and even drop out of the automatic qualification spots after this round. Whilst they have a formidable record of never tasting defeat in a home World Cup Qualifying (WCQ) game to boost their fragile confidence, only time will tell whether that will be enough to overcome their table-topping rivals whom they failed to beat in each of the last three H2Hs (D1, L2).
The home sideâs task has been made a little harder by the fact they lost Vinicius Junior to a hamstring injury in the recent defeat to Colombia (2-1), on that same night Argentina lost 2-0 at home to Uruguay. That was Argentinaâs first loss since the 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening game of last yearâs World Cup, a defeat they could afford to have after opening their WCQ campaign with four straight wins.
The result continued a curious trend of Argentinaâs last nine matches seeing only one side score on the day. Manager Lionel Scaloni will want to see his team back on the right side of that streak, and the visitors have tended to do well on the road in WCQ away matches, avoiding defeat in their last 12 (W8, D4). A brace of goals before half-time in three of the last four such games hints that the world champions could start fast in their pursuit of retribution.
Players to watch: Gabriel Martinelli grabbed his first international goal against Colombia in what was his eighth senior Brazil appearance and he could be set to lead the line in Viniciusâs absence. Veteran Ăngel Di MarĂa grabbed a brace of assists in Argentinaâs last away game and netted the winner in the last H2H.
Hot stat: Each of the last four H2Hs produced at least seven total yellow cards (average: 7.25 per game).