Argentina v Uruguay

Argentina vs Uruguay Preview

The South American section of the World Cup qualifiers are in full swing and the current World Cup holders, Argentina, sit at the top of the CONMEBOL table with a five-point cushion over their second placed visitors, Uruguay, prior to the two nations doing battle at the Estadio Alberto José Armando on Thursday night in Beunos Aires.

Argentina bring an impressive 14-match winning streak in all competitions into this World Cup qualifier and since lifting the World Cup in Qatar where they beat France on penalties, the hosts have continued on their merry way under national coach, Lionel Scaloni, by winning their subsequent eight games on the trot.

Admittedly, four of these eight wins were collected in international friendlies with victories over Panama 2-0, Curacao 7-0, Australia 2-0 and Indonesia 2-0, but these results have only served to help strengthen Argentina's grip on the South America stage with Scaloni's side chalking up four wins on the trot to start their campaign off in style.

It's also worth pointing out that each of these eight wins for La Albiceleste also included keeping clean sheets and having already accounted for the likes of Ecuador 1-0, Bolivia 3-0 (at high altitude), Paraguay 1-0 and Peru 2-0, Argentina look in good shape to extend their lead at the top of the CONMEBOL table with a win here.

Uruguay sit in second place in the South American qualifying table on goal difference and find themselves part of a three-nation chasing pack in pursuit of the runaway leaders, Argentina, along with the likes of Brazil and surprise package, Venezuela.

The Uruguayan's produced a disappointing World Cup campaign in Qatar as they managed to muster a meagre total of two goals in their three games in Group H and this proved to be their undoing despite finishing level on four points apiece with South Korea but the Asian nation had scored two more goals than Uruguay so they progressed through to the knockout rounds instead.

Since making an early exit from the World Cup at the group stage though, Uruguay have produced some encouraging displays which have seen Marcelo Bielsa's side suffer just one defeat out of their subsequent eight matches in all competitions which came in the shape of a 2-1 loss away at Ecuador in these World Cup qualifiers.

However, an opening game 3-1 win against Chile was an impressive result and along with gaining a point in a 2-2 draw away from home at Colombia and most impressive of all, a 2-0 home win against Brazil, Uruguay may feel they have a chance of a result here.

Argentina v Uruguay Verdict

Having won just three of their last nine away games though, Uruguay look hard pressed to get anything out of Argentina here, especially as the hosts have won the last three meetings on the trot against La Celeste.

Therefore, our main bet will be Argentina win @ 1.53Other side bets worth considering:

Argentina win & Under 2.5 goals 3.25

Correct Score: Argentina 1-0 @ 6.00