World Cup 2022 Poland vs Argentina Tips and Predictions

Argentina and Poland face one another in the final Group C match at Stadium 974 in Doha.

Poland picked up a vital victory against Saudi Arabia on Saturday lunchtime and have given themselves a realistic chance of qualifying for the round of 16. They have kept consecutive clean sheets, although they needed Wojciech Szczesny to save a penalty in order to preserve their one goal lead. At the other end of the field, Robert Lewandowsi has finally scored his first World Cup goal and having got that monkey off his back, he should be able play with a little more freedom here.

Argentina have been surprisingly poor so far in Qatar. Nevertheless, Lionel Scaloni’s side still have a decent chance of qualifying although they will need to take three points from this encounter. Lionel Messi has dug them out of a hole on numerous occasions and his passion shone through against Mexico. They will need their talisman to be at his best on Wednesday evening.

Argentina have been priced up as the odds-on favourites with Bwin and can be backed 10/21. Poland cannot be discounted and are priced at 25/4.

• Although these two teams played out an international friendly in 2011, the last competitive meeting between these sides came back in 1978. Argentina won 2-0 on that occasion.
• Poland – Despite topping the group, Poland have been far from convincing so far and their xG and xGA numbers are closely matched (2.4 and 2.5). They are extremely reliant upon Robert Lewandowski, who has an individual xG of 1.9. He claimed an assist and found the back of the net against Saudi Arabia and will fancy his chances of adding to his tally here.
• Argentina – Argentina were underwhelming against Mexico and produced just five efforts on goal. With two of these efforts landing on target, they will need to offer far more going forward here. Lionel Messi carried La Albiceleste through the 90 minutes and they are lacking a balance between midfield and attack.

Neither of these sides has looked particularly convincing so far and somewhat surprisingly, neither team is close to securing their passage to the round of 16. Poland look capable going forward, yet leaky at the back whereas Argentina look solid enough in defence, yet struggle for ideas in the final third. There is plenty at stake here and this could end all-square.

DRAW

Neither side will want to crash out at this stage of the tournament. There is an expectation that each of these two teams will qualify for the next round and as a result, they cannot afford to sit back and play for a point. This could be an entertaining contest.

BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE

All eyes will be on both Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski, and although the latter is likely to be involved, the former should be able to notch for the third successive game. He has been giving rousing speeches post-match and was demanding an increase in the intensity from his team-mates. He may drag Argentina into the knock-out rounds kicking and screaming.

LIONEL MESSI – ANYTIME GOALSCORER

Poland 

Poland will once again rely upon Robert Lewandowski, however, Napoli’s Piotor Zielinski has been excellent and is starting to recapture his club form. 

Key Player/s: Robert Lewandowski, Kamil Glik. 

Team news: Czeslaw Michniewicz made several changes ahead of the second fixture and he may opt to recall Damien Szymanski and Jakub Kaminski. 

Predicted Lineup: Wojciech Szczesny, Kamil Glik, Jan Bednarek, Jakub Kiwior, Matty Cash, Grzegorz Krychowiak, Krystian Bielik, Piotr Zielinski, Szymon Zurkowski, Przemyslaw Frankowski, Arkadiusz Milik, Robert Lewandowski.

Argentina

Lionel Scaloni has struggled to pick his best XI so far and without the services of Giovani Lo Celso, he has struggled to find the right balance. Prior to their second group match, he changes three of his four defenders and two of his three midfielders. 

Key Player/s: Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria. 

Team news: Lionel Scaloni has made changes to both his defence and midfield across the first two matches and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see further tinkering here. Lisandro Martinez is likely to be preferred to Cristian Romero, who looked uncertain throughout the 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia. 

Predicted Lineup: Emi Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Nahuel Molina, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Rodrigo de Paul, Guido Rodriguez, Alexis Mac Allister, Angel Di Maria, Lautaro Martinez, Lionel Messi

There is plenty of expectation on both of these sides and there may be some nervy moments across the 90 minutes. Nevertheless, it should be a good game and chances will be created by both sides.

Bet on Both Teams to Score