Brazil - Argentina predictions and free betting tips [22/11/2023]

On Wednesday, Brazil will host Argentina in the 6th round of the final CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier at the iconic Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro. 

Probable Line-ups

Brazil: Becker, Augusto, Gabriel, Marquinhos, Emerson, Gimarains, Andre, Luis, Martinelli, Rodrigo, Jesus.

Argentina: Martinez, Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico, MacAllister, De Paul, Fernandez, Di Maria, Martinez, Messi.

Brazil

Brazil has suffered some unexpected losses in this qualifier and is currently sitting in 5th place - an uncomfortably low position for its fanbase. The team has collected only 7 points and has already lost 2 games, last of which was a disappointing loss away to Colombia with a scoreline of 1-2. Head coach Fernando Diniz has been implementing a 4-3-3 formation. Sure, some of the poor results can be attributed to the absence of Neymar due to injury, but there is still a strong team left, especially compared to struggling Colombia. 

Diniz is making impulsive decisions, and his team's play lacks stability. Brazil does not appear to be a well-structured training project, earning points due to the individual quality of its players. In the match against Colombia, Vinicius Junior was injured and will be out until February, leading to more tactical switches.

Argentina

The Argentine national team tops the table with 12 points. In the last round, the current World Champions were beaten at home by Uruguay, 0-2. Head coach Lionel Scaloni used a 4-3-3 setup. The La Albiceleste had gone unbeaten for 14 matches but nerves got the best of them against Uruguay, with Messi almost being sent off. Argentina now looks like a team without weak points, and the setback against Uruguay serves as motivation.

Head-to-Head

The rivals have played 110 matches against each other, with a slight edge in favour of Brazil: 43 wins to Argentina's 41. Notably, Argentina hasn't lost to Brazil in their last three confrontations. Their last meeting in November 2021 ended in a goalless draw.

Match forecast - Brazil vs. Argentina

From several statistical angles, Argentina looks like the clear favourite for this showdown. But this could be misleading - Brazil will surely fight tooth and nail against the current champions and arch-rival. Plus, there's the advantage of home ground. Brazil must put an end to its losing streak and hand Argentina its second defeat of the calendar year