Argentina
Argentina cruised through their group, but they didn’t have an easy time in the first knockout round. Cape Verde were stubborn opposition for the defending champions, twice pegging back Argentina in a 3-2 defeat.
Argentina wrapped up top spot in Group J with a game to spare, thanks to straightforward victories over Algeria and Austria, before a rotated side eased by Jordan. The bracket has broken kindly for them, as they’re set to avoid a fellow elite side until the quarter-finals at least.
We still don’t truly know what level the defending champions are playing at, but their issues against Cape Verde suggest they could toil against Egypt in the last 16.
Injuries & Team News
Lautaro Martinez has been the preferred option to Julian Alvarez this summer but the Inter Milan striker has struggled for consistency and so Alvarez, off the back of a mediocre club campaign (by his standards) and with his own declaration of wanting to depart Atletico Madrid, could start this quarter-final.
There doesn’t appear to be any injury issues with Gonzalo Montiel now back to full fitness alongside Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Cristian Romero. Facundo Medina is now a major doubt, though, due to injury, with Nico Gonzalez also dealing with ankle issue.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 3-2 vs Cape Verde | W W W W W W |
Predicted Line-Up
Predicted XI (4-4-2):
E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Almada; Messi, Alvarez
Egypt
Egypt have reached the second knockout round despite winning only one of their four matches so far. They’ve drawn with Belgium and Iran in their group, and they needed penalties to see off Australia in the last round. Their only victory came against the lowest-ranked side at the tournament, New Zealand.
However, Egypt do have an elite forward line, and their World Cup games so far have tended to be pretty open. Both teams have scored in each of their four matches at the tournament, and their final warm-up game saw them score in a defeat against Brazil.
Argentina have now failed to keep clean sheets in back-to-back matches, and they did offer up opportunities to Algeria in their opener.
Injuries & Team News
Central midfielder Mohammad Lasheen has returned from suspension but both Mohamed Abdelmonem and Ahmed Fatouh remain doubtful due to injury, with his replacement Karim Hafez also needing to be replaced against Australia.
As well as that, right-back Mohamad Hany has to be viewed as a doubt after seemingly being knocked out against Australia in the second half but then continuing to play – prior to scoring his second own goal of the tournament.
Form
| Last Match | Last 6 Matches |
|---|---|
| 1-1 vs Australia | W L D W D D |
Predicted Line-Up
Predicted XI (4-4-2):
Shobeir; Hany, Ibrahim, Rabia, Hafez; Ashour, Fathy, Attia, Ziko; Salah, Marmoush
Betting Odds
ntina
| Team | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina Win | 1.33 | Grand Ivy |
| Draw | 5.00 | Dream Vegas |
| Egypt Win | 11.00 | 247Bet |
Prediction
Argentina 1-0 Egypt
Argentina face their first major test of the world cup when they face an improving Egypt and I think this will be much tougher than most people suggest. I do think Argentina will get the win but only by a single goal.