Round 3 of the 2019 Copa America Group B will finish with the tilt between debutants Qatar and massive favourites Argentina.
Qatar vs. Argentina
- Copa America
- Arena do Grêmio, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Sunday 23 June
- 20:00 UK Time
Qatar vs. Argentina Game Preview
Argentina can make amends for their uninspiring performance in the opening two games with a win over Qatar, who showed they are not pushovers at their first ever Copa America. Lionel Messi and co. actually got away with a point against Paraguay as Los Guaraníes missed the penalty in the second half at 1-1 result. There is no room for mistakes against Qatar and if La Albiceleste fails to make it to the quarter-finals, it’s going to be a disaster for their football.
Qatar Team News and Latest Form
Qatar’s 1-0 loss to Colombia last time out means that their record against South American nations currently in FIFA’s top-30 stands at W0, D0, L4 (GF0, GA8). The first goal may well be crucial towards their chances, especially with just two of Qatar’s last ten matches seeing both teams score.
Unfortunately for the Maroons, both of their Copa America matches so far have seen them concede first. In turn, Qatar’s overall record vs CONMEBOL opposition stands at W2, D3, L6, with the 2019 AFC Asian Cup winners conceding an average of 1.82 goals per match within that category.
Akram Afif netted in the final 15 minutes of play during Qatar’s last win over a nation from another confederation (Switzerland, Nov 2018). Two of the three goals conceded by Qatar in this Copa America have arrived in the first or final 15 minutes.
Argentina Team News and Latest Form
As for an Argentina side that simply must win, a 1-1 draw against Paraguay in the last Copa America matchday was hugely disappointing. It represented the second match in succession that the Argentines have lost one half to nil.
Tellingly, Argentina have never faced an AFC zone side at the Copa America before, but going back to June 2007, the Albiceleste have won their last six Copa America matches against guest teams, winning five of those by a margin of 3+ goals.
Lionel Messi’s face-saving penalty last time out means that his last three Copa America goals have all arrived in the middle third of play (31st-60th minute). Argentina’s last five victories over Copa America guest teams have been accompanied by a clean sheet. Even more impressively, five of Argentina’s last six Copa America wins over a guest nation have seen them score 2+ consecutive match goals in the second half alone.
Qatar vs. Argentina Head to Head
These rivals have met just once before and it was in a friendly match back in 2005 when Argentina secured a comfortable, 3-0 victory.
Qatar vs. Argentina Betting Tip
Argentina are massive favourites at 2/7 odds, which are rather low odds on the team that collected just two points in their first two games at this tournament. However, they are playing against inexperienced Qatar, who already impressed with their resilience but they are not good enough to contain wizard Messi. Even though Albiceleste are playing better in the second 45 minutes, I am backing them to take control of this tilt early on and be ahead at halftime. Backing Argentina to win both halves in combination to score over one goal at 1/1 odds using Bet Builder with 888Sport is something you should consider when betting on this clash.
- Odds above average
- Fair new customer bonus
- Outstanding football betting selection
- Odds above average
- Fair new customer bonus
- Outstanding football betting selection