Argentina vs Brazil Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview
The South America World Cup qualifiers continue this week and our expert Nathan Joyes has provided his Argentina vs Brazil Best Bet, team news, lineups and fixtures preview.
After Argentina edged past Uruguay in Montevideo, Lionel Scaloni’s side will only need a point against Brazil to secure their place at the 2026 World Cup where they will look to defend their crown.
Brazil’s last gasp winner against Colombia has moved them a step in the right direction, but they head to Buenos Aires with several suspensions to worry about.
Argentina vs Brazil Prediction: Hosts to qualify in style
Argentina, World Cup Qualifiers, Wednesday, March 26th, 00:00 (UK)
Argentina travelled to Uruguay without Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez but delivered their usual performance and returned home with all three points. As professional as ever, Argentina contained La Celeste in the first 45 minutes before letting the handbrake off in the second, where a phenomenal Thiago Almada strike secured the win.
Their victory took them to 28 points after 13 matches, and Lionel Scaloni’s side only require a point to reach the World Cup, but no doubt they will be keen to do it in style against their old rivals.
Argentina were expected to qualify with ease, but the fact Scaloni has managed to build a side that has beaten Uruguay, Bolivia and Brazil on the road shows there are no signs that they are slowing down just yet – and if anything, they look stronger than ever before – with or without Messi on the pitch.
They haven’t faced Brazil since their famous 1-0 win in Rio de Janeiro back in November 2023, the first time Brazil had ever lost a World Cup qualifier on home soil. Brazil have slightly improved since their mid-qualifying slump, and are unbeaten in their last five, but this will be their biggest test for quite some time.
Many are yet to be convinced Dorival Junior is the right man for the job, but with Brazil short of options, there’s no sign of a change in the dugout quite yet, but his tactics may be found out at El Monumental on Tuesday evening.
To make matters worse for the visitors, they head to Buenos Aires missing several key players. Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes and Arsenal’s Gabriel are suspended, Flamengo’s Gerson is out injured, while Liverpool’s Alisson came off injured against Colombia.
There’s adequate replacements with Lucas Beraldo, Murillo and Leo Ortiz able to slot in at centre-back, while Andre can come into the midfield. However, it does weaken their options from the bench if the game isn’t going their way.
And it may not. Argentina are ruthless at home, and Brazil haven’t beaten them on their own patch since 2009. This is also a very different Brazilian side compared to recent years, who head into this fixture having won just seven points from a possible 18 on the road.
On paper, there’s lots to like. Since Raphinha has returned to the squad, they’ve looked more clinical going forward. But as a unit, there’s defensive concerns and a lack of fluidity in the midfield Scaloni will want to exploit.
Argentina have won all but one of their home matches, keeping six clean sheets along the way. Arguably still the best national team on the planet, there’s no reason that they can’t dismantle a dis-organised Brazilian side still in a transitional period.
It’s a little more tricky without Messi, but there’s still so much quality throughout the side that can cause any nation in the world issues, and they’ll want to prove how much stronger – and better – they are compared to Brazil at present.
- Argentina vs Brazil Prediction: Argentina to win
- Best Odds: 2.15
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 7/10
Argentina vs Brazil Prediction odds via bet365 as at 10:00, March 22nd, 2025. Odds may now differ.
Argentina vs Brazil Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups
As well as the absence of Messi and Martinez, Argentina will also be without Nicolas Gonzalez who was sent off in the final minute against Uruguay. Scaloni will likely start Julian Alvarez as his no.9, with Lyon’s Thiago Almada tucked in behind after his sublime goal last week.
As mentioned, Brazil head to Buenos Aires with a few key players out but Dorival Junior has called up several replacements. Atalanta’s Ederson, Wolves’ Joao Gomes, PSG’s Lucas Beraldo and Palmeiras’ Weverton have all flown to Argentina to be part of the squad. However, with less time to adapt, this could impact Brazil more than they would have liked.
Argentina possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Tagliafico, Otamendi, Romero, Molina, Mac Allister, Paredes, Simeone, Fernandez, Almada, Alvarez
Brazil possible starting lineup:
Bento; Arana, Beraldo, Marquinhos, Vanderson, Andre, Gomes, Rodrygo, Raphinha, Vinicius Junior, Pedro
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