England vs Argentina Prediction: World Cup Betting Tips & Odds

Odds provided by Betovo

England and Argentina meet at Atlanta Stadium on Thursday morning New Zealand time in the World Cup semi-final.

In this England vs Argentina preview, I’m looking at form, team news and a goals angle for those keen to bet on football this week.

England

England haven’t had a comfortable knockout win yet. 

A late Harry Kane double scraped them past DR Congo before a wild 3-2 win at the Azteca with 10 men. Then against Norway, Jude Bellingham had to bail them out in extra time.

Bellingham and Kane have six tournament goals apiece - every one of England’s seven knockout goals between them. But if Scaloni contains those two, I don’t know where the threat comes from.

Team News: Quansah still suspended. Henderson out (broken wrist). Rice is a doubt after coming off at half time against Norway. James returned in the quarter-final.

Predicted Lineup: Pickford; James, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.

Argentina

Argentina are twelve World Cup matches unbeaten, but the knockout rounds have been chaotic. They trailed Egypt 2-0 with 11 minutes left before pulling off a sensational comeback. Against Switzerland, it took Alvarez’s wonder goal in the 112th minute to finish off 10 men.

Lionel Messi has eight tournament goals, level with Kylian Mbappe at the top of the Golden Boot race. At 39, this will be the first time he’s faced England at a World Cup. I think Argentina survive tight games on quality and nerve - they produced just 0.8 xG in 90 minutes against Switzerland.

Team News: No major concerns. Romero fit through the knockouts. Medina recovered from a calf issue.

Predicted Lineup: E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico; Paredes; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Alvarez.

• Both teams required extra time in the quarter-finals.
• England have conceded in every knockout game this tournament.
• Argentina have scored at least twice in all six World Cup matches.

I’m going back and forth on this. England’s resilience under Tuchel has been extraordinary. But Argentina have that grinding World Cup knockout experience you can’t replicate.

My gut says Argentina, probably through extra time. I don’t have the conviction to back them in 90 minutes, but I am confident about both teams scoring. For those using new betting sites, the goals markets are where I’d look.

Both Teams to Score - Yes @ $2.00

England have conceded in every knockout round. Argentina have shipped five across three games. In a semi-final where both sides need to attack, I’d be surprised if both don’t find the net.

At evens, I’m happy to take it. Double with Under 3.5 Goals if your betting apps offer this combo.