PREVIEW: Argentina v Belgium

[dropcap]D[/dropcap]on’t cry for me Argentina, the truth is ……

There will be tears if Argentina crash out of the World Cup AGAIN at this stage.

They have been eliminated at the quarter final stage in each of the last three World Cups. Quite a mental battle for them to get past.

Just like Brazil, they are not playing with the eloquence of which we have become accustomed but they ARE getting the results which I guess is more important.

Each of Argentina’s four wins in Brazil have come via single goal margins and they have now kept a clean sheet in six of their last eight games.

Standing in their way tonight are Belgium who were pushed all the way in extra time by the USA – but the reality of that match was that it would have been a lot more comfortable but for the heroics of Tim Howard in goal.

Honours are shared in their two previous World Cup encounters.

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Max last 10 only)
Jun 1986 World Cup Argentina 2-0 Belgium
Jun 1982 World Cup Argentina 0-1 Belgium

So what to expect tonight at the Estadio Nacional de Brasilia? (5pm LIVE ON ITV).

Messi makes his 91st cap against Belgium, which equals the total number of appearances made by Maradona and he is obviously the key player in the Argentine side.

Argentina didn’t over impress against Switzerland and, like Belgium, they also needed an extra time winner to progress.

However, they should have the class to see off the European challenge from Belgium and I’m going for a win inside 90 minutes with Star Sports.

RECOMMENDED BET (scale of 1-50 points)

12 points ARGENTINA at around EVENS with Star Sports

WORLD CUP RETURNS SO FAR: LOSS 4.29 POINTS

What’s your view? CALL STAR SPORTS 08000 521 321