In the early hours of Friday, Argentina and Uruguay go head-to-head at the Estadio Alberto Jose Armando in South American qualifying for next year’s World Cup.
Argentina form guideThe reigning world champions are in good form heading into this encounter, as they have won their eight matches after winning the World Cup in 2022. Their recent good form has been based on strong defensive displays, as they haven’t conceded in any of their eight straight victories.
Argentina’s good form has been enough to take them to the top of the table, five points clear of Friday's opponents in second place and third-place arch-rivals Brazil. La Albiceleste are unbeaten in their previous 25 games in all competitions, having recorded seven wins in their last eight qualifiers.
They are also unbeaten in 15 home games in World Cup qualifying, following four straight victories in qualifiers. They have also kept eight consecutive clean sheets in qualifying.
Uruguay form guideThe visitors have recorded six wins in their previous nine international matches, having scored at least two goals in four of their last five outings. Uruguay also has a creditable recent record in World Cup qualifying, winning six of their previous eight qualifiers while scoring at least two goals in four of the last five qualifiers.
Despite winning just two of their previous four qualifiers this time around, they are still in second place in the group but trailing their opponents by five points.
Uruguay has a poor recent away record in World Cup qualifying, as they have won two of their previous nine away qualifiers. They have also conceded at least two goals in five of their last seven away qualifiers.
What am I backing?Argentina have been in formidable form of late, and I am backing the world champions to record a relatively narrow victory.
