- Argentina top Group J with 3 points, after their 3-0 blowout of Algeria.
- Austria are also on 3 points, after brushing Jordan aside 3-1 in the opening round.
La Albiceleste are on fire
Lionel Messi scored a hat trick and Lionel Scaloni's Argentina dismantled Algeria in their opening game of the World Cup, securing 3 points.
Scaloni, who took charge in 2018, has moulded Argentina into a smooth, possession-based team, which can morph seamlessly between a patient, building phase and a high-tempo, attacking one.
They can control the pace of the game well, often switching the ball from wide to wide and forcing their way into the box at the right time with a host of fluid, rotating players. Argentina are on a 5-game winning streak coming into this game, scoring 14 goals and conceding just 2 in the process.
Austrians will bring the high-intensity
Austria's playing style could hardly be more different than Argentina's, with Ralf Rangnick's side a relentless pressing side, who love to win the ball back and counterattack vertically, often with overloaded passing combinations.
The Austrians will come to Dallas Stadium on Monday and put Argentina under pressure, looking to force turnovers in dangerous areas and get men behind the defence. It's a system that's worked pretty well in their recent 5-match unbeaten run, in which they've scored 10 goals and conceded just 2.
However, there are question marks over the quality of opposition in that run - Austria won 1-0 against Republic of Korea and Tunisia before blowing Jordan away 3-1. They may not get the same joy against Argentina.
A goal-fest could unfold in Dallas
Lionel Messi is the marquee name and in the form of his life, but Argentina have several players who can make an impact.
Nico Gonzalez provides a creative spark from midfield, notching 1 assist in Argentina's opener, while Marko Arnautovic is the main threat for Austria, who is on the scoresheet in Group J.
Xaver Schlager is the workhorse for Austria, with 1 assist, but Argentina will control possession in this game and there's no stopping Messi.
With both teams in high scoring form, we're backing over 2.5 goals in this clash, with odds of 97/100 looking very reasonable. BTTS - Yes also appeals at 47/50, with an open, end-to-end encounter expected.
