13 Nov 2019
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Messi Back, Neymar Out
There’s no such thing as a friendly between these two nations and expect both sides to put out their strongest available teams when they meet in Riyadh on Friday.
Lionel Messi is back in the fold after serving a three-month international ban for claiming “corruption” by CONMEBOL at the summers’ Copa America, which he claimed was “fixed for Brazil”.
However, Brazilian superstar Neymar misses out as he closes in on a return from injury ahead of PSG’s upcoming Champions League clash with Real Madrid later this month.
This Argentina side is rather reliant upon the attacking riches at its disposal for inspiration, and with a lack of quality in the defensive third, it’s baffling as to why Sergio Romero hasn’t had a look in over the past couple of years, despite playing back-up to David De Gea at Man Utd.
Gone are the days when the likes of Javier Mascherano, Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Demichelis and Walter Samuel could be called upon, and with the ability to defend thrown out the window, it should come as no surprise that Brazil have held the upper hand in this fixture during recent years.
Low Scoring Affair Expected
The Selecao are W4-D1-L1 in the head-to-heads since 2014, winning the past two as the most recent came in competitive surroundings when they dumped Argentina out of the Copa America back in July.
These haven’t been the most high-scoring affairs as only one of them featured more than two goals, and with Argentina largely set up to frustrate as they attempt to cover up their defensive weaknesses at the back, it wouldn’t be a shock if this game also fails to produce as much goalmouth action as the array of forward talent would suggest.
The Argentina midfield is also bereft of experience, as Angel Di Maria only started one of their Copa America matches and has been overlooked in subsequent squads entirely, despite enjoying fine form at club level for PSG.
Meanwhile, the experienced Ever Banega hasn’t been called up since the 2018 World Cup, even though the Sevilla midfielder is the most natural player to fill the void that Mascherano left upon retiring in the wake of that tournament.
Recent Form
Although the re-introduction of Messi improves Argentina on paper, the Barcelona maestro has often appeared burdened with the weight of the world on his shoulders in national team colours.
La Albiceleste have achieved stalemates with Chile and Germany, as well as 4-0 and 6-1 wins over Mexico and Ecuador respectively in his recent absence, and head coach Lionel Scaloni has failed to find the right team balance when his star player has been available.
Brazil To Win
Brazil are undoubtedly stronger when Neymar plays, but their reliance upon him has its bounds and they coped just fine as they lifted the Copa America on home turf.
Tite’s men are a solid and settled unit these days, with the 58-year-old having been in charge for over three years now.
They’ve now won without conceding in 18 of 29 matches since the start of 2018, so the win to nil is tempting, though with Argentina always capable of registering on the scoreboard, the price for the Brazil victory is big enough to back on its own.
Brazil To Beat Argentina At 11/8
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