We’re back for one more dose of Qatar betting picks as the defending champions, France, meet with Argentina in the World Cup final this Sunday at Lusail Iconic Stadium.
Read on for our World Cup Final picks, soccer analysis & free World Cup betting preview for Argentina vs. France
Argentina vs. France
Sunday, December 18, 2022 – 10:00 AM EST at Lusail Stadium
Argentina vs. France Betting Analysis
- Argentina is unbeaten at halftime in 32 consecutive games in all competitions
- Argentina has scored at least 1 goal in their previous 11 games in all competitions
- France has managed just one clean sheet from their last 6 meetings
- France scores an average of 2.17 goals per game
France: Turning the Tide to Defend Their Crown
France’s journey to the World Cup competition presented multiple red flags for a squad defending the 2018 crown they achieved in Russia. Everything that could go wrong did. With a plethora of injuries, off-pitch controversy, and as an early exit from the Nations League was looking possible – but barely held on – this team didn’t enter Qatar on a positive note, but has undoubtedly flipped these concerns upside down.
Most critics didn’t expect France to defend their title successfully. Although there’s one more win required to do this successfully, Didier Deschamps and co. can smile in the face of doubters as they’ve proved precisely why the trophy sits in their cabinet.
In the absence of Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, and Karim Benzema, Deschamps was put in an unfortunate position, or so it seemed. However, this was no issue for the French World Cup-winning player and manager who’s thrived guiding the Les Bleus ship and won’t need a returning Benzema on Sunday as he’ll proudly utilize his current protagonists.
1998 and 2018 World Cup Champions, How About 2022?
France’s path to the final didn’t arrive without a few scares. As England’s Harry Kane skyrocketed a penalty into the stands during the quarter-final, and a fearless Moroccan squad pushed Les Bleus to their limit in the semis. With that said, the hands of Hugo Lloris and the memorizing work rate of Ibrahima Konate heavily assisted France in both of these encounters.
The semi-final meeting with Morocco finally gifted Les Bleus their first clean sheet of the tournament with a 2-0 victory over the Atlas Lions. This result made them the first reigning champions to advance to the final since 1998.
This nation hasn’t suffered defeat to any South American team in a premier competition since 1978, albeit the team to do this was Argentina. If recent history plays any part in the result, the 1998 and 2018 winners will add 2022 to their legacy.
Argentina: Making Light Work of a Team That Dumped Their Rivals
A mouth-watering affair was on the horizon as soccer fans hoped and prayed to witness a clash between South American rivals Argentina and Brazil in the World Cup semi-final. However, a robust Croatian team dumped pre-tournament favorites Brazil out of the competition.
La Albiceleste did precisely what their South American foes couldn’t by eliminating the Chequered Ones. It was achieved convincingly as the 90-minute meeting ended 3-0, thus positioning Argentina in their sixth World Cup final.
Don’t Cry for Me Argentina
There’s one man who’ll give it his all to prevent more tears, and although a lone player doesn’t create a World Cup-winning team, Lionel Messi has delivered one of his best-ever tournament performances in Qatar.
He’s snatched seven Ballon d’Or awards, multiple Champions League medals, the Copa America, and countless domestic trophies. However, he hasn’t touched the big one, and as this Sunday’s game will be the 35-year-old’s final World Cup appearance, the script-writers are already preparing the 2000-word articles that can depict a perfect ending to a superstar’s story.
Argentina lifted the 1978 and 1986 World Cup trophies. Still, recent history had delivered its fair share of tears and heart-breaking moments – including the 2014 edition when La Albiceleste suffered defeat to Germany in the final. Another loss on Sunday would become Argentina’s fourth World Cup final loss, an undesirable record manager Lionel Scaloni will be desperate to avoid.
Beginning their Qatar campaign was worrisome as Saudi Arabia delivered a shock defeat to Argentina. Spain is the only nation in World Cup history to have lost their opening match and lift the trophy, but we should note that Scaloni’s men have been robust at the back, allowing no more than six shots each game on average in Qatar.
Argentina vs. France World Cup Final Odds and Picks
The current World Cup odds display a +180 money line price tag on both teams. Separating these two sides isn’t easy, and the outright odds display this.
However, France hasn’t displayed the most trustworthy defensive unit in recent tournaments, including this one. This lack of composure at the back has been saved by goalposts, goalkeeper Lloris, and some luck, something they can’t rely on when Messi and Julian Alvarez are in top form.
With that said, France’s skill level in the final third has been emphatic, and as Kylian Mbappe clashes with his PSG teammate, Messi, we wouldn’t be surprised if a bitter-sweet moment arrives for the Les Bleus hero.
On the other hand, Argentina has only failed to score two or more goals in their Qatar opener. The attacking threat under Scaloni’s guidance can unquestionably penetrate the questionable rear guard that Deschamps hasn’t been able to perfect.
Most neutral fans want to see a fairy-tale ending for Messi, and while we lean to this side, attacking the goals market with two elite attacks lined up is the best wagering approach to take.
Score Prediction: Argentina 2 – France 2 (Arg win in ET)
Soccer Pick: Both Teams to Score (+106) at SugarHouse
Soccer Pick: Over 2.5 Goals (+150) at BetRivers
