- Recent form: Argentina have won their last 10 matches in all competitions, Switzerland have a 5-4-1 record in their last 10 (W5, D4, L1).
- Defense note: Switzerland have conceded 13 goals in their last 10 games across all competitions, but their average of 1.3 goals per game is a very respectable figure.
- Players to watch: Lionel Messi has scored four goals in Argentina's last five games, Argentina have scored 12 in their last five.
Scaloni's Scalpel
Match odds and prediction
Argentina are the heavy favorites to win Sunday's encounter at 1.62, while Switzerland are marked at 5.5 and the tie at 3.75. Undoubtedly, Argentina are the more exciting side to watch and are full of attacking players, but we're going to play the odds on this one and side with the Swiss to make a game of it at the very least.
Coaching and style
Lionel Scaloni has been Argentina's head coach since 2 August 2018, and he's had a lot of time to create a trophy winning machine that can play a fluid 4-3-3 which can easily transition into more narrow shapes. In Messi, the Argentines have the ultimate spark for the game, but this is a team that has goals in the team, they're a team that can work a ball into the net when the ball is moving.
Swiss structure
Switzerland have played more of a structure-first style since Murat Yakin took over as head coach on 9 August 2021, they are a compact, well-structured side that are most dangerous when they can push out of the wide areas and expose the opposition's defense.
Switzerland are the ultimate Dark Horses
We're siding with the underdog here because we think Switzerland have done everything right to get to this point. They've grinded out results and have kept the games tight, which is their M.O. and they're a side that can score goals when they need to.
Switzerland are unbeaten across their last five matches, a run of four straight wins and a penalty shootout win after a 0-0 draw with Colombia. They've won their last four in a row and they're a very solid side, but we think they're up against it against this Argentina outfit.
Argentina are on a roll
Argentina have won their last ten games and they've made a habit of picking off their opponents in the latter stages, just as they did against Egypt (3-2) and Cape Verde (4-3 AET) in their two knockout games in the FIFA World Cup so far.
We're backing Argentina to win this one, but we do think Switzerland's compact shape should keep things tight for long periods of time at the Kansas City Stadium.
- With Messi between the lines, Argentina can control the tempo of the game and make gaps for themselves.
- Argentina's goals have come from all over in their recent games, but the team scored 12 goals across their recent five matches.
- Breel Embolo leads the way for Switzerland in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage with one goal in one game, but Dan Ndoye has been the real live wire for the Swiss with three goals in their current five-game unbeaten run.
