World champions Argentina will meet England in a World Cup semifinal that could go either way, according to the latest betting odds. Will Leo Messi’s magic or Jude Bellingham’s determination prevail? Can someone else decide this one?
Let’s talk about the teams and their road to the last 4, before I share my England vs. Argentina predictions and best bets.
England vs. Argentina Betting Odds and Lines
Here are the main betting markets for the semifinal between England and Argentina.
| OUTCOME | ODDS |
|---|---|
| England to advance | -130 |
| Argentina to advance | +112 |
| England to win | +160 |
| Argentina to win | +200 |
| Draw | +200 |
| Over 2 Goals | -140 |
| Under 2 Goals | +120 |
The best World Cup sportsbooks see this almost as a coinflip, with just a small advantage in England’s favor. That’s a reasonable take, but the totals line is a surprise to me. I know that games of this magnitude are often tight, but setting the line at 2 goals only is an interesting choice.
If you already see betting odds that you like for this match, you can find them at Lucky Rebel. You will find the markets above and 250+ more bets.
England: Inconsistent but Determined
England’s performances in this World Cup have been very inconsistent. They looked great in some games and struggled in others, but the important part is that they are in the semifinals.
Their last clash against Norway was particularly scary for the team, as the Vikings were on the brink of eliminating them. The game had everything: brilliant goals, controversy, extra time, and chances on both ends.
It could’ve gone either way, but Jude Bellingham’s determination to drag his team to the next stage was enough. The Real Madrid midfielder has been one of the players of the tournament so far. He was the main man against Mexico and Norway, so I expect him to shine again in the next match.
However, England’s fate will be decided elsewhere. Harry Kane must be better than he was against Norway, while the fitness of Declan Rice and Reece James could be critical. The Arsenal midfielder has looked knackered throughout the tournament and even got ill, while England’s midfield struggles badly without him.
As for James, he’s the only natural right back in the team. If Thomas Tuchel can’t start him, Argentina should find lots of joy attacking on the left.
Overall, the best version of England is the better team in this clash, but there are too many question marks to trust them for a regular time win.
Argentina: How Much Do They Have Left in the Tank?
Argentina had a chill start to the World Cup in the group stage, but that was followed by three close games. The champions were under severe pressure against Cabo Verde, Egypt, and Switzerland but somehow survived to reach that stage.
The big question here is whether their energy levels are depleted. This team is built around Leo Messi, giving him the opportunity to rest and pick his spots. As a result, Argentina’s number 10 doesn’t run much, and others need to compensate.
The other key players have accumulated a ton of playing time in the knockouts, so this could be a problem. Furthermore, I have doubts about Argentina’s defense.
Both Cabo Verde and Egypt score two against the world champs, while Switzerland also found the net. The 2022 title was built on clean sheets and Messi’s magic, with one of the ingredients missing this time around.
I don’t see how Argentina can keep a clean sheet against England, so they’ll need to find ways to score multiple goals to progress.
England vs. Argentina Predictions and Best Bets
Neither team has managed a clean sheet so far in the World Cup knockouts, despite facing inferior opponents than the one waiting for them in the semifinal. That’s why I’m baffled by the totals lines available.
You can get +157 for both teams to score and over 2.5 goals, which is by far my top England vs. Argentina betting pick. The biggest potential risk for this wager is if the score is 1-1 with 20-30 mins left and both sides decide to protect it.
However, that’s now both coaches operate. They won’t just sit back in such a scenario, so I’m more than happy to take this bet.
As for the eventual winner, this is a tough one. The odds of the bookies are spot on, as I see England as the slightly better team, but not by much. That’s why I will skip the winner and to advance markets, focusing on the over instead.
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