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WORLD CUP 2026 · Wednesday, 15 July 2026 at 20:00 BST
England
1 – 2
Argentina

Match preview

Argentina carry the rating edge but it's not large. Either side could nick it.

36%
England
23%
Draw
41%
Argentina
Model fair odds
England
2.78
Draw
4.35
Argentina
2.44

Decimal fair odds from the model probabilities before bookmaker margin.

England
36%
Draw
23%
Argentina
41%
Elo rating: 2135 vs 2194 (-59)
Recent form: WLWWW vs LWWWW
Host advantage: Neutral venue
Model verdict: 36% / 23% / 41%
Most likely scores
Draw 1–1 (13%)
Argentina 1–0 (10%)
England 1–0 (9%)
Argentina 2–1 (9%)
Why Argentina are favourites (41%)
  • Argentina carry the higher Elo rating (59 points)
  • Neutral venue — no home advantage applied
  • England won 4 of their last five (4W 1L)
  • Argentina won 4 of their last five (4W 1L)
  • Head-to-head treated as neutral — too few recent meetings to weigh (10% of the blend)

These factors combine to produce the 36% / 23% / 41% verdict above.

Expected match pattern

Argentina should shade possession but the gap is small enough that midfield control will decide territory. With little between the sides on ratings, a set piece or an individual moment is the most likely difference — expect a competitive game where the first goal heavily shapes what follows.

Expected goals: England 1.2 · Argentina 1.4

Quick stats

MetricEnglandArgentina
Elo rating21352194
Last 5 record4W 1L4W 1L
Goals last 51411
Goals conceded last 5107
Clean sheets last 500

England — last 5

  • W@ France64
  • Lv Argentina12
  • W@ Norway21
  • W@ Mexico32
  • Wv Congo DR21

Argentina — last 5

  • L@ Spain01
  • W@ England21
  • Wv Switzerland31
  • Wv Egypt32
  • Wv Cape Verde Islands32

Head to head

15 Jul 2026
England
12
Argentina

Confirmed lineups

England · 4-2-3-1
  1. 1J. Pickford G
  2. 24R. James D
  3. 5J. Stones D
  4. 6M. Guehi D
  5. 25D. Spence D
  6. 4D. Rice M
  7. 8E. Anderson M
  8. 17M. Rogers M
  9. 10J. Bellingham M
  10. 18A. Gordon M
  11. 9H. Kane F
Argentina · 4-1-4-1
  1. 23E. Martinez G
  2. 26N. Molina D
  3. 13C. Romero D
  4. 6L. Martinez D
  5. 3N. Tagliafico D
  6. 5L. Paredes M
  7. 17G. Simeone M
  8. 24E. Fernandez M
  9. 20A. Mac Allister M
  10. 9J. Alvarez M
  11. 10L. Messi F

Key matchups

H. Kane vs C. Romero

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

M. Rogers vs E. Fernandez

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

L. Messi vs J. Stones

Argentina's main outlet — how England'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.