Netherlands vs Argentina Prediction (09.12.2022)

On Friday night, Netherlands and Argentina clash in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in what could be a hard-fought contest.

Netherlands form guide

Louis van Gaal’s team continued their recent good form by recording a 3-1 win over the USA in the last 16 of the World Cup. The victory means that the Oranje are now unbeaten in their previous 19 international games, having won six of their seven previous matches.

The Netherlands has been prolific of late in front of goal, too, as they have scored at least twice in eight of their last ten international matches.

The Oranje are unbeaten in 18 games in the World Cup since 2006. However, they suffered an extra-time defeat to Spain in the 2010 final and then went out of the competition courtesy of a penalty shootout defeat by Friday’s opponents at World Cup 2014.

Argentina form guide

The Albiceleste booked their place in the quarter-finals by recording a 2-1 win over Australia. In truth, they dominated the game and missed some golden opportunities to extend their lead against Graham Arnold’s team.

The victory over the Socceroos was Argentina’s eighth win in their previous nine games in the international game. The result also means that the Albiceleste have now lost just one of their last 40 matches.

Although Argentina has now won their last three games at the World Cup, the South American giants have also won just four of their previous nine games in the competition.

Latest team news

The Netherlands have no reported injury issues, so they may name an unchanged starting line-up. Argentina has doubts over the fitness of attacking midfielder Alejandro Gomez after he sustained an ankle problem against Australia. Angel Di Maria missed the win last time out but should be fit enough to feature in this one.

What am I backing?

The last four competitive games between these two teams have produced under 2.5 goals, including in 0-0 draws in 2006 and 2014 at World Cups. There is still very little between these two teams, so I am backing this game to once again produce under 2.5 goals.