Argentina vs Uruguay
There is still some way to go in World Cup 2022 qualifying but the importance of the oldest derby in football history is clear as Argentina and Uruguay prepare to go head-to-head in Buenos Aires in the early hours of Monday morning.
Games between the two nations, even those that are only friendly matches, are often marked by notable and sometimes controversial incidents.
And with places at Qatar 2022 up for grabs, this Clásico del Río de la Plata should be no exception.
In fact, a contest with such a highly competitive rivalry – both on the pitch and off it – and the backing of two sets of passionate supporters, mean a tense evening of World Cup qualifying highlights awaits.
Talking Points
Both teams go into this encounter on the back of frustrating draws.
Paraguay and Argentina shared the points on Thursday as the match in Asuncion finished in a boring goalless draw.
Meanwhile, there was no winner and no goals when Uruguay and Colombia met in Montevideo, a result which maintains their two point gap over the Colombians in the all-important race for a top four spot in the South American qualifying table.
With Brazil having nine wins from nine and a seemingly unassailable lead in the standings, and Argentina in a healthy position in second spot, it does appear the battle for qualification is a straight fight between Ecuador, Uruguay and Colombia with an outside chance for Paraguay and Peru (Chile are surprisingly well down the table).
That means this is probably a far more important game for head coach Oscar Tabarez and his team, who also face Brazil on Friday.
In fact, two defeats in the space of five days would be a big blow and could leave Uruguay in danger of not reaching the tournament for the first time since 2006.
That is surely unthinkable for a nation which comprises the likes of captain Diego Godin and Jose Giminez in defence and, of course, they always have a chance with two world class finishers – Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez.
With Angel di Maria, Suarez’s former team-mate Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez among the home ranks, no wonder it’s hard to pinpoint a matchwinner.
It should be fun watching though!
History
What a history these two nations have.
Uruguay won the first World Cup in 1930, a feat they repeated in 1950. Argentina’s two triumphs have been in comparatively more modern times – 1978 and of course the unforgettable summer of 1986 inspired by the late great Diego Maradona.
As I said, this derby is the most played in football history, with 194 official matches to date. Argentina have won 88, Uruguay 57 and 45 have ended all square.
Of course, their most recent meeting was in June when a Guido Rodriguez goal earned Argentina a 1-0 group stage win before Argentina went onto triumph in the final of the Copa America.
Uruguay have only won one of their last six meetings. That was in a World Cup qualifier in 2013 when Cavani netted the winner in a five-goal thriller in Montevideo.
Of course, both nations qualified for the tournament and Argentina even reached the final, losing to an extra-time goal to Germany.
You have to go back to Maradona and 86 for the last time they met competitively in a tournament other than the South American showpiece.
That was the World Cup last-16 stage when Pedro Pasculli scored the only goal of the game and set up a quarter-final with England which is now the stuff of legend.
Betting Tip
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Argentina vs Uruguay | Half Time Full Time Draw Home @ 4.30 |
| October 11, 7:30 (GMT+8) |
The SBOTOP World Cup qualifying betting odds lean strongly in favour of the Argentines, despite only three points separating the sides in the standings – albeit Argentina have a game in hand which could increase the gap to six points.
You can back them 1X2 @ 1.65 and First Half 1X2 @ 2.33 or with Asian Handicap odds –1.00 @ 2.20 and First Half Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 1.91.
Uruguay are much further adrift with odds of 1X2 @ 5.20 and First Half 1X2 @ 5.40.
The Asian Handicap odds back La Celeste +0.75 @ 2.05 and First Half Asian Handicap + 0.25 @ 1.99.
Another 1-0 Argentine success will offer you odds of @ 5.00 with Correct Score, while a repeat of their 2-2 draw from a friendly nearly two years ago is available @ 23.00.
I have a feeling these are often low scoring encounters and total goal 0-1 @ 2.68 has caught my eye, as has 1X2 Draw @ 3.55.
Yet with such deadly marksmen on both sides, how about over 2.50 goals @ 2.21.
In the end, I am going to go for a home triumph but it will be tight.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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