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WORLD CUP 2026 · Wednesday, 17 June 2026 at 02:00 BST
Argentina
3 – 0
Algeria

Match preview

Argentina are clear favourites on ratings, with the model at 69%. Only a poor recent run (four-from-five) gives Algeria a way in.

69%
Argentina
15%
Draw
16%
Algeria
Model fair odds
Argentina
1.45
Draw
6.67
Algeria
6.25

Decimal fair odds from the model probabilities before bookmaker margin.

Argentina
69%
Draw
15%
Algeria
16%
Elo rating: 2179 vs 1785 (+394)
Recent form: WWWWW vs DWLWW
Host advantage: Neutral venue
Model verdict: 69% / 15% / 16%
Most likely scores
Argentina 2–0 (16%)
Argentina 1–0 (15%)
Argentina 3–0 (11%)
Draw 1–1 (8%)
Why Argentina are favourites (69%)
  • Argentina carry the higher Elo rating (+394 points)
  • Neutral venue — no home advantage applied
  • Argentina unbeaten and winning in their last five (5W)
  • Algeria won 3 of their last five (3W 1D 1L)
  • Head-to-head treated as neutral — too few recent meetings to weigh (10% of the blend)

These factors combine to produce the 69% / 15% / 16% verdict above.

Expected match pattern

Argentina are expected to control possession and territory, while Algeria will likely rely on defensive organisation and counter-attacks. An early Argentina goal would force Algeria to open up, raising the chance of a multi-goal result; the longer it stays level, the more pressure shifts onto the favourites.

Expected goals: Argentina 2.1 · Algeria 0.5

Quick stats

MetricArgentinaAlgeria
Elo rating21791785
Last 5 record5W3W 1D 1L
Goals last 51310
Goals conceded last 517
Clean sheets last 542

Argentina — last 5

  • W@ Jordan31
  • Wv Austria20
  • Wv Algeria30
  • Wv Iceland30
  • Wv Honduras20

Algeria — last 5

  • Dv Austria33
  • W@ Jordan21
  • L@ Argentina03
  • W@ Bolivia40
  • W@ Netherlands10

Head to head

17 Jun 2026
Argentina
30
Algeria

Confirmed lineups

Argentina · 4-4-2
  1. 23E. Martinez G
  2. 4G. Montiel D
  3. 13C. Romero D
  4. 6L. Martinez D
  5. 25F. Medina D
  6. 7R. de Paul M
  7. 20A. Mac Allister M
  8. 24E. Fernandez M
  9. 16T. Almada M
  10. 10L. Messi F
  11. 22L. Martinez F
Algeria · 4-3-3
  1. 23L. Zidane G
  2. 17R. Belghali D
  3. 2A. Mandi D
  4. 21R. Bensebaini D
  5. 15R. Ait-Nouri D
  6. 14H. Boudaoui M
  7. 19N. Bentaleb M
  8. 22I. Maza M
  9. 11A. Hadj Moussa F
  10. 9A. Gouiri F
  11. 10F. Chaibi F

Key matchups

L. Messi vs A. Mandi

Argentina's focal point in attack against the heart of Algeria's defence.

A. Mac Allister vs N. Bentaleb

The central-midfield battle most likely to decide who controls possession and territory.

A. Hadj Moussa vs C. Romero

Algeria's main outlet — how Argentina's central defence handles him shapes the counter-attack threat.

Predictions are model output, not betting advice. The model blends an Elo rating, last-5 form and host advantage; ratings update after every tournament result, and fair odds and likely scorelines are derived from the same blend. Bet responsibly — 18+. See PuntHub for verified tipster services.