Argentina vs Australia Odds & Prediction – World Cup Round of 16 (Dec 3)

• Argentina meets Australia on Saturday, December 3 in the World Cup round-of-16
• Both teams qualified for the last 16 in dramatic circumstances
• We preview Argentina vs Australia, look at the odds, and offer some picks

It’s Argentina vs Australia on Saturday, December 3 in the 2022 FIFA World Cup round of 16. It all kicks off in the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium at 2pm ET.

Both teams left it until Game 3 to secure their route to the knockout phase, with Argentina finally making amends for their opening-day defeat by Saudi Arabia, while Australia’s dramatic win over Denmark made it two wins out of three.

We preview Argentina vs Australia, look at the World Cup odds, and offer some analysis, team news, and picks below.

Argentina vs Australia Odds

Odds as of  Dec 2 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Use this DraftKings Sportsbook promo code to bet on this or other games.

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Australia come into this as massive favorites at -500 on the moneyline, with an implied win probability of 83%, while Australia, listed at +1400, have an implied probability of 7%. The draw, at +600, is implied at 14%.

Over/Under and Spread

On the basis of DraftKings expecting a big Argentinian win, they have pitched under 2.5 goals in plus money at +110, while the over is odds-on at -135. With Argentina having scored a modest five in their group, the under looks like a decent bet.

Argentina vs Australia Preview

Despite Argentina’s campaign getting off to the worst possible start with that chastening defeat by Saudi Arabia – a result that ended their 36-game unbeaten run – they bounced back in style with two consecutive 2-0 wins over Mexico and Poland. The win over the Poles saw them top the group.

This is the 11th time in the last 12 tournaments the Argentinians have progressed to the knockout phase, and with this likely to be Lionel Messi’s last World Cup and with the biggest support in Qatar, they look to have a genuine chance of winning their third title.

#Qatar2022

Seguimos avanzando #TodosJuntos 💪 pic.twitter.com/Pu8HDkdUvI

— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) December 1, 2022

Technically Superior Argentinians

Head coach Lionel Scaloni has openly criticized FIFA over the tight schedule – Argentina and Australia have both had just two full days to rest after their midweek wins – but the South Americans have significantly more depth to call upon than their opponents.

With most of the Argentina squad playing in the top leagues in the world, they also have, player-for-player, an infinitely more technically adept and talented squad.

Argentina vs Australia Head-to-Head Stats

Australia With an Olympic-Sized Boost

It almost goes without saying that Australia have a losing record against Argentina – they have only beaten them once in a full international in seven attempts – but they do have a 2-0 win over them in last year’s Tokyo Olympics to cling to.

Both current squads contain a fair sprinkling of the players involved in that game, so for the Socceroos it’s definitely one for their manager Graham Arnold to use in his pre-match team talk.

⚽ @craig_goodwin11
⚽ @mitchduke8
⚽ Mathew Leckie#Socceroos #GiveIt100 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Lvc9QuwL5G

— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) December 1, 2022

Aussies Will Proceed Without Fear

Despite the Australians kicking off Group D as outsiders to progress, two wins from their three games – against Tunisia and Denmark – propelled them to the knockout phase in thrilling circumstances.

Against Denmark, a brilliant goal from Matthew Leckie and defensive heroics from, among others, keeper Mat Ryan and center-back Harry Souttar saw them through to a famous victory and will ensure they head into this game with no fear but genuine belief in their ability to cause another shock.

Argentina vs Australia Team Lineups and Injuries

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

Injuries & absences: None.

Switzerland Projected Lineup: Ryan, Karacic, Souttar, Rowles, Behich, Mooy, Leckie, Irvine, McGree, Goodwin, Duke.

Injuries & absences: None.

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Argentina vs Australia Prediction

Australia start as big underdogs and have very limited experience of World Cup knockout games, but should never be underestimated. They will battle hard and push Argentina all the way.

But, and it’s a big but, the extra quality in the Argentinian squad and their extra depth should be enough to see them through. There’s little value in betting on the straight win – although it looks easy money – but betting on a two-goal margin looks much better value.

Picks: Argentina to win (-500) / Argentina to win 2-0 (+425)