Argentina U23 vs Iraq U23 prediction 27.07.2024 | Olympic Games
Argentina U23
3 - 1
Elapsed: FT
Half time: 1 - 1
Full time: 3 - 1
Kick off:
Date:
Iraq U23
1
1.35
X
4.58
2
10.50
The match has ended, you can view football predictions for today and football predictions for tomorrow.
Contents
- Competition: Olympic Games
- Date: Saturday, 27th July, 2024
- Kickoff: 14:00 UK / 15:00 CEST
- Venue: Parc Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon)
On Saturday afternoon, Argentina U23 and Iraq U23 will face off in the second round of the Olympic football tournament at Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon.
Argentina has arguably been the best national team in the World in recent years, winning two consecutive Copa America titles and the World Cup. However, their Olympic teams have been less impressive. In the last two Olympic Games, Argentina U23 failed to advance beyond the group stage, finishing third both times. They started this year's competition poorly with a controversial loss to Morocco, so all eyes are on them to deliver a strong performance against Iraq U23.
Iraq U23 secured its third Olympic appearance by finishing third in the AFC Asian Cup, which was enough for qualification since three teams from Asia were given the opportunity to play. They began their Olympic campaign with a 2:1 victory over Ukraine U23, putting them unexpectedly tied for first place in the group with Morocco. With a positive result against Argentina U23, Iraq U23 would take a massive step forward in securing the Quarterfinals.
Argentina U23 vs Iraq U23 pick: Argentina U23 to win and cover the -1.5 AH spread
Argentina U23 opened the tournament with a 2:1 loss to Morocco U23, but after watching the game, we can say that they definitely deserved more. In fact, they did score a late equalizer, but VAR eventually disallowed it due to offside. The match was bizarre, with numerous organizational issues affecting the gameplay. Now, the Argentinians will surely be highly motivated to secure three points after the unusual end of their match against Morocco.
On the other side, Iraq U23 opened the tournament with a 2:1 win, but it was undeserved. Ukraine U23 had so many chances to win, and it was a miracle that they did not win at least one point. Ukraine U23 had 3.02 xG, compared to only 1.05 xG of Iraq U23. Considering that they scored a goal from the penalty spot, which has a value of 0.79 xG, Iraq, in fact, created only 0.26 xG.
Simply, we believe that Argentina U23 are too good for Iraq U23, and since they will have a massive motive in this match, we believe that Mascherano's side will secure a comfortable win.
Argentina U23 team news
As we stated, there was a lot of controversy in Argentina's first game at the Olympics. The South American team secured a 2:2 draw in the 16th minute of stoppage time, but chaos followed as bottles and plastic cups were thrown onto the field, and several spectators rushed onto the pitch. The teams left the field, leading to a two-hour delay as referees worked to clear the stands. When play resumed, the teams returned to the pitch to play three additional minutes, but Argentina's goal was ultimately disallowed by VAR.
Expectedly, Argentina coach Javier Mascherano was furious, telling the press that the game was a circus. "Beyond the Olympic spirit, the organization needs to be up to standard. At the moment, it is not, unfortunately," the coach added.
Three players over 23 years can play for each team in the Olympics. Argentina's three are: Geronimo Rulli (Ajax), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), and Julian Alvarez (Manchester City).
Last matches of Argentina U23
-
Argentina U23
1 : 2
Morocco U23
Olympic Games
-
Brazil U23
0 : 1
Argentina U23
CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament
-
Argentina U23
3 : 3
Paraguay U23
CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament
-
Argentina U23
2 : 2
Venezuela U23
CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament
-
Japan U23
5 : 2
Argentina U23
Friendly International U23
Argentina U23 lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Geronimo Rulli
Defenders
-
4
Roberto Garcia
-
2
Marco Di Cesare
-
16
Nicolas Otamendi
-
3
Julio Soler Barreto
Midfielders
-
10
Thiago Almada
-
14
Santiago Hezze
-
8
Cristian Medina
-
7
Kevin Zenon
Forwards
-
18
Lucas Beltran
-
9
Julian Alvarez
Iraq U23 team news
Three players over 23 years for Iraq are: Saad Natiq (Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya), Ibrahim Bayesh (Al-Talaba SC), and the team's captain and starting striker Aymen Hussein (Al-Khor SC).
The team's total market value is 5.75 million euros, compared to Argentina's 247.55 million euros.
Last matches of Iraq U23
-
Iraq U23
2 : 1
Ukraine U23
Olympic Games
-
Iraq U23
1 : 0
Indonesia U23
Afc Championship U23
-
Japan U23
2 : 0
Iraq U23
Afc Championship U23
-
Iraq U23
1 : 0
Vietnam U23
Afc Championship U23
-
Saudi Arabia U23
1 : 2
Iraq U23
Afc Championship U23
Iraq U23 lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Hussein Hassan
Defenders
-
17
Mustafa Saadoon
-
6
Zaid Tahseen
-
20
Hussein Ojaimi
-
5
Ahmed Maknzi
-
3
Hussein Ali
Midfielders
-
11
Muntadher Mohammed
-
8
Ibrahim Bayesh
-
10
Youssef Amyn
-
14
Karrar Mohammed
Forwards
-
18
Aymen Hussein
3 Reasons why Argentina U23 should win and cover the -1.5 AH spread
- Argentina U23 are in a must-win situation
- Ukraine U23 heavily outplayed Iraq U23 in the first game
- Argentina's total market value is more than 43 times bigger
Main prediction Argentina U23 - Iraq U23
AH1 (-1.5)
Best Odds:
bet365
2.05
Additional predictions
Argentina U23 & Iraq U23 current standing in Olympic Games
| Group B | P | W | D | L |
G - A
|
GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morocco U23 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 - 3 | +3 | 6 |
| 2 | Argentina U23 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 - 3 | +3 | 6 |
| 3 | Ukraine U23 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 - 5 | -2 | 3 |
| 4 | Iraq U23 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 - 7 | -4 | 3 |