Uruguay vs Argentina Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview
Two South American giants meet in Montevideo and our expert Nathan Joyes has provided his Uruguay vs Argentina Best Bet, team news, lineups and fixtures preview.
Uruguay are the only nation to have beaten Argentina during these World Cup qualifiers, and also remain unbeaten in front of their own fans. Marcelo Bielsa’s side will be looking to record a historic double over the World Champions.
Lionel Messi and co make the trip to Uruguay top of the qualifying, but they’ll need to fare better than when they ran out narrow winners against Peru at La Bombonera in November.
Can Bielsa outwit Lionel Scaloni once more?
Uruguay vs Argentina Prediction: Fortune favours the brave
Uruguay, World Cup Qualifiers, Friday, March 21st, 23:30 (UK)
It’s 1st vs 2nd on Friday and Uruguay will be hoping to beat Argentina in front of their own fans for the first time since 2013. Cristian Rodriguez, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani were all on the scoresheet that night, and although all three remain playing domestically, their international days are over.
Instead, Marcelo Bielsa continues to put full faith in Darwin Nunez. The striker hasn’t been at his best for Liverpool this season, but for his country he’s scored five in 10 qualifiers – including the winner against Argentina at La Bombonera.
Working under El Loco, Nunez has drastically improved – and although his Copa America campaign was average, it would be foolish to rule him – and Uruguay – out against the World champions.
That’s because Uruguay remain unbeaten at home during these World Cup qualifiers, collecting 14 points from a possible 18 – only dropping points against Ecuador and Paraguay in 0-0 draws. However, both of those sides set up rather defensively, a ploy unlikely to be adopted by Argentina throughout the 90 minutes.
The visitors – who don’t lose often – arrive out of sorts on their travels. In fact, they turn up in Montevideo on the back of a draw away to Venezuela and two defeats against Colombia and Paraguay.
Although the visitors have quality in nearly every department, their Achilles heel remains their full-back areas. Whether it’s Nicolas Tagliafico and Nahuel Molina or Gonzalo Montiel, these are areas that Uruguay can exploit.
And that’s exactly how Bielsa likes to set up his team – utlising his wingers to provide a service into Nunez. El Loco’s preference is to use Sporting’s Maxi Araujo and Panathinaikos’ Facundo Pellistri, but he can also call upon Bahia’s Luciano Rodriguez who continues to shine in Brazil.
In behind he has Federico Valverde, Manuel Ugarte, Rodrigo Bentancur and Nicolas de la Cruz to call upon – who are all capable of going toe-to-toe with Argentina’s midfield – and we saw that in their 2-0 win last year.
Admittedly, Uruguay won’t be dominating the entire match. Julian Alvarez arrives in the form of his life and he – as well as Lionel Messi – will need to be carefully watched. But Bielsa’s side have only conceded three goals at home from their six matches, keeping four clean sheets in the process.
With that in mind, Uruguay’s Asian Handicap line at 0 looks worth chancing. If anyone is capable of beating Argentina at home, it’s Bielsa.
- Uruguay vs Argentina Prediction: Uruguay Asian Handicap 0
- Best Odds: 1.975
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 7/10
Uruguay vs Argentina Prediction odds via bet365 as at 13:15, March 17th, 2025. Odds may now differ.
Uruguay vs Argentina Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups
The midfield battle between Argentina and Uruguay is likely to be one of the more entertaining ones over the World Cup qualifiers. Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde has been excellent for his country, and a return to midfield after stints at right-back for his club may bring out the best in him once more.
Argentina will once again try to link up Messi, Alvarez and potentially Lautaro Martinez, who won the Golden Boot at the 2024 Copa America. The Inter forward arrives in Montevideo having scored last time out against Atalanta, which was his 11th Serie A goal in 27 appearances.
Julian Alvarez has been Atletico’s shining light this season, and his role will be to take over from the recently retired Angel Di Maria on the left-hand side of Lionel Scaloni’s front three.
Uruguay possible starting lineup:
Rochet; Varela, Gimenez, Olivera, Saracchi, Bentancur, Ugarte, Valverde, Pellistri, Araujo, Nunez
Argentina possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Tagliafico, Otamendi, Balerdi, Montiel, Mac Allister, Fernandez, de Paul, Alvarez, Messi, Martinez
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