The Netherlands and Argentina face off in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals in Qatar, two of the greatest teams in World Cup history.
The winner of the match between Lionel Messi’s Albiceleste and a Dutch team that did not even compete at the previous tournament will advance to the final four after defeating the USA and Australia, respectively, in the last-16 and surviving some scares along the way.
At this level, the Netherlands and Argentina are not unfamiliar.
The South Americans suffered a 4-0 defeat in the second round of the 1974 tournament before exacting revenge in the 1978 final on home soil.
A legendary, last-minute Dennis Bergkamp goal secured victory at this stage in 1998 for the Dutch but it was Argentina progressing from a semi-final tie in 2014 as a penalty shootout was required to separate the teams.
The Dutch also overcame a virus outbreak in their World Cup camp before the USA win with no apparent ill effects!
Louis van Gaal appears to have a largely settled line-up now Memphis Depay is fit and firing. Davy Klaassen and Marten de Roon have started the last two games in central midfield after issues in that department.
Angel Di Maria’s recovery from missing the Australia victory will be the main focus of Argentina’s attention in the coming days.
With Julian Alvarez expected to keep his spot in the starting lineup to join Messi, Lionel Scaloni will be thrilled to have the seasoned winger back to replace Papu Gomez and complete his attack.
The Argentina manager may be tempted to start this match with three central defenders, as he did in the second half of the last-16 match!
1X2 Betting Odds
The Dutch are slightly the underdogs coming into this with odds @ 3.79.
Messi’s Argentina are favourites to win this and keeping their World Cup dream alive, @ 2.25.
The chances of a stalemate after the 90 mins are played stands @ 3.25.
There is an element of the unknown as neither side has come up against a contender for the crown until this moment – and neither has hit top gear.
Argentina have the edge when it comes to talent, and maybe a moment of magic will settle this.
Total goals over/under
The odds that the total number of goals score will be over 2.5, stands @ 2.5.
While the odds that the total number of goals will be under 2.5, stands @ 1.62.
