2022 FIFA World Cup, Argentina v Saudi Arabia: Preview, Team News, Possible Line Ups, and Prediction


2022 FIFA World Cup, Argentina v Saudi Arabia: Preview, Team News, Possible Line Ups, and Prediction

Argentina vs Saudi Arabia

South American giants Argentina is set to kick off their 2022 FIFA World Cup Campaign playing there in Qatar. They will face Saudi Arabia in the first game of their group. This will be  Albiceleste’s fifth meeting with the meeting with middle eastern side. Argentina has never lost a game to them. Saudi was successful in securing two draws against the former world cup champions. The latest meeting between the teams was back in 2018. The match ended in a goalless draw.

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Lionel Messi will laed the line for the Copa America champions along with side Angel Di Maria, and Lautaro Martinez. The l superstars are up against a not-so-strong Saudi side, that lacks high-profile players like Argentina. Argentina would be hoping to capitalize and build the momentum for the tournament at the very start of their campaign to stay on top of their group. But they might not be in for an easy game as there is nothing to lose and everything to gain for the Saudi Arabian side.

Argentina vs Saudi Arabia Team News:

Manager Scaloni’s chief concern would be Tottenham defender Christian Romero who hasn’t played for the last 4 weeks for his club side and also missed the pre-World Cup games for his national side. Paulo Dybala whose inclusion came as a surprise for many considering his 8-match absence for the Roma side in Seria-A.

The biggest headache for the Saudi Arabians would be the fitness of their star forward  Salem Al-Dawsari as he has just recovered from appendix surgery. The talisman also known as ‘Tornado’ recently appeared in the pre-World Cup friendly against Croatia but is still not absolutely fit to play against a strong Argentinian side.

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Argentina vs Saudi Arabia Possible Lineups

Argentina:

Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Acuna; Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul; Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria; Lautaro Martinez.

Saudi Arabia:

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Mohammed Al Owais; Saud Abdulhamid, Abdulelah Alamri, Ali Albulayhi, Yasir Al Shahrani; Feras Albirakan, Mohammed Kanno, Abdulelah Almaki, Salem Al Dawsari; Salman Al Faraj, Saleh Al Shehri.

Argentina vs Saudi Arabia Prediction:

Considering non of the Saudi Arabian players play in any of Europe’s major leagues the team strength is not good enough to beat the likes of an Argentinian team led by the G.O.A.T Lionel Messi himself along with many other stars. A win with a scoreline of 4-0 is expected in favor of the Argentinians.

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