Latest Odds, Team News & Form Guide: Argentina v Brazil
Will Jackson 
Rivals Argentina and Brazil go head-to-head in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday night, with the hosts seeking the chance to defend their 2022 title.
The two sides are on course to qualify for the 2026 even in USA/Canada/Mexico and currently occupy two of the top three spots in CONMEBOL qualifying, and are all-but confirmed to progress through to the tournament.
It is one of the most fiercely contested rivalries in the international game and one of the highlights of the world game whenever the two meet given their standings as two of the most successful nations in World Cup history.
The most recent meeting came in November 2023, when Argentina won 1-0 at the Maracana in a game that was delayed due to crowd violence - their first home defeat in World Cup qualifying for Brazil after 64 games.
Having already won the Copa America twice and the World Cup under Lionel Scaloni, Argentina's pre-tournament price of 10/1 looks like great value for anyone looking to take advantage of a free bet ahead of next year's competition.
Argentina v Brazil Latest Odds
Given their standing at the top of CONMEBOL qualifying and with home advantage, it is no surprise that Argentina go into the game as favourites with most football betting sites this time.
They have conceded just seven goals in their 13 games to date but were unconvincing in a narrow 1-0 win over Uruguay last week, and must make do without the injured Lionel Messi.
Lautaro Martinez might have been the man tasked with replacing Messi's goalscoring threat but he is also injured, while Paulo Dybala is absent too, leaving their attacking resources a little bit thin on the ground.
Julian Alvarez and Thiago Almada will be the attackers trusted to lead the line and pose the chief goalscoring threat on Tuesday night, while familiar faces such as Nicolas Otamendi and Cristian Romero will lineup at the back and Enzo Fernandez will be in the engine room with Alexis Mac Allister in midfield.
Predictably for a Brazil side, they are loaded with attacking talent and some of them will be licking their lips at the prospect of taking on an ageing Otamendi in defence.
Raphinha is arguably the form player in the world right now and poses a real threat with Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo going forward.
The form book suggests an Argentina win is on the cards, but with those three as well as the likes of Marquinhos and Joelinton, they are more than capable of staging an upset.
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni favours a rather pragmatic approach to big matches however, so expect a pretty tight game and the draw might not be one of the worst football tips you'll ever see.
CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying Odds
Argentina should be able to wrap up their passage to the 2026 World Cup pretty quickly, hence their standing as favourites among betting sites to win the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers.
They are currently six points clear of Ecuador with five games left to play, and a win here would all-but rule their most likely rivals out of contention.
CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying Table
| Team | Played | W | W | L | Points |
| Argentina | 13 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 28 |
| Ecuador | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 22 |
| Brazil | 13 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 21 |
| Uruguay | 13 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 20 |
| Paraguay | 13 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 20 |
| Colombia | 13 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 19 |
| Bolivia | 13 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 13 |
| Venezuela | 13 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 12 |
| Peru | 13 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 10 |
| Chile | 13 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 9 |
