The second round of fixtures in World Cup Group C pits Argentina and Mexico against each other, a fixture that holds plenty of history.
First meeting all the way back in 1930 at the inaugural World Cup, a fixture in which Argentina won 6-3, these two sides have met 31 times overall with Mexico tasting victory on just four of those occasions.
As such, Argentina will enter here as odds-on pick even if their 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in their opening fixture sent shockwaves around the world.
MORE: Follow all 2022 FIFA World Cup daily picks & predictions from The Sporting News here
Argentina vs. Mexico odds
At -190, it's clear that the bookmakers are expecting Argentina to respond here against Mexico even after their surprise 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia.
That's not difficult to see why when you consider that before that latest defeat, the South American side had recorded the second-longest unbeaten run in men's football history, going 35 international outings without suffering a single loss.
Argentina have also won all three of their previous World Cup finals meetings with Mexico whilst they remain unbeaten across their last 10 head-to-head fixtures overall, winning seven of those in the process.
Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), and LadBrokes (Australia).
| BetMGM | Sports Interaction | SkyBet | LadBrokes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina win | -190 | 1.53 | 8/15 | 4/7 |
| Draw | +290 | 3.95 | 14/5 | 3/1 |
| Mexico win | +500 | 5.70 | 5/1 | 6/1 |
| Both teams to score Y / N | +110 / -150 | 2.03, 1.74 | 1/1, 8/11 | 1/1, 8/11 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | +100 / -140 | 2.03, 1.74 | 1/1, 8/11 | 1/1, 8/11 |
| Argentina -0.5 | -210 | 1.56 | — | — |
| Mexico +0.5 | +145 | 2.38 | — | — |
Argentina vs. Mexico: 3 things to know
Argentina vs. Mexico team news
There are no new injury concerns for Argentina to contend with, though a switch of personnel is likely given their loss in the tournament opener. Defender Lisandro Martinez could be one of those changes with the Manchester United defender enjoying strong form of late. Julian Alvarez could also be brought into the fold from the off.
Just like their opposition here, Mexico also managed to get through their opening match vs. Poland without picking up any fresh injury concerns. Raul Jimenez could start as El Tri try to make an impact on this game from the off.
MORE: Full injury tracker for all 32 teams at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Argentina vs. Mexico key stats
- Argentina are unbeaten across their last 10 meetings with Mexico since their last last loss against them back in 2004 (W7, D3).
- Mexico have lost all three of their prior World Cup meetings with Argentina in 1930, 2006 and 2010.
- Argentina are looking to avoid dropping both of their opening two matches at a World Cup for the first time ever.
Argentina vs. Mexico match facts
- Date: Saturday, November 26
- Kickoff Time: 2:00 pm ET / 19:00 pm GMT / 6:00 am AEDT (Sun, Nov. 27)
- Location: Lusail Stadium
- Official: Daniele Orsato (Italy)
Argentina vs. Mexico prediction
- Moneyline lean: Argentina to win (-190)
- Against the spread lean: Argentina -0.5 (-210)
- Score prediction: Argentina 2-1 Mexico
With this acting as a near-must-win match for Argentina, you'd expect them to perform to a far higher standard than on match day one.
As such, they're our pick to win this clash especially as Mexico seemed a bit underwhelming in an attacking sense in their opening 0-0 draw with Poland.
Argentina vs. Mexico: best bet
As mentioned throughout, the onus here is on Argentina and how they can bounce back from their defeat on the opening match day in Group C.
The South American side may have now remarkably won just one of their last six World Cup outings but seven of their last eight internationals losses were followed up with fairly emphatic victories.
Argentina vs. Mexico best bet
- Pick: Both teams to score
- Odds: +110 (BetMGM)
This bet may not represent the best value that you'll have ever seen but it very much feels a likely outcome as Argentina and Mexico both somewhat need a victory here to progress from the group stage.
As such, expect both sides to go for goals, especially in the second half, to win this vital Group C clash.
Granted Argentina have kept a raft of clean sheets of late but as seen in their opener, their back line very much seemed to struggle with the pressure of playing at a World Cup and considering Mexico, on paper at least, represent a bigger threat than Saudi Arabia, you'd fancy them to struggle in keeping a clean sheet again here.
On top of that, two of Mexico's final three pre-World Cup friendlies witnessed both teams score, with both matches coming against difficult opposition in Colombia and Sweden.
Argentina vs. Mexico flier bet
- Pick: Tie at half time, Argentina winning at full time
- Odds: +330 (BetMGM)
What will likely come across in this fixture is how tense both teams will be at the start of the match.
With Argentina losing their opening outing, Messi & Co will know that anything other than a victory here will likely result in an unlikely group stage exit.
Similarly, a draw against Poland for Mexico has hardly left them in the best position with a match against surprise act Saudi Arabia their third and final in Group C.
As a result, it wouldn't surprise to see a first half with few opportunities play out before both teams decide to go for it with much more attacking fluidity in the second. That arguably plays into the hands of Argentina more who could easily steal the three points thanks to their large array of offensive quality.
