Argentina v Egypt: Back superstar duo Messi & Salah in 14/1 Bet Builder

Messi's Argentina to learn Cape Verde lessons

Click here for Argentina v Egypt odds
Tuesday 7 July, 17:00 kick-off
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Live on ITV1

By the narrowest of margins, the defending champions escaped an almighty shock against Cape Verde and now Lionel Messi and Argentina look to get back on track as big 4/111.36 favourites again against Egypt.

Another global icon Mohamed Salah scored a penalty in Egypt's penalty shootout win over Australia, but despite that, and Argentina's struggles in the last round, the Pharaohs are massive underdogs at 9/110.00 in Atlanta.

Again, Argentina should be too strong, but the Cape Verde game was their 12th World Cup knockout tie to go to extra-time (the most in competition history) and their eighth in the past 14 so don't rule out the draw again here at 15/44.75.

As Egypt are traditionally a tough nut to crack and could provide stubborn opposition here - plus three of their four games so far have ended in draws, and all of those 1-1 too. The score draw in this one is 11/26.50.

So will Argentina have learned a lesson or did Cape Verde show everyone the champs aren't as good as we think they are? Egypt are a step up, but for them too this is a huge rise in opposition having faced a lacklustre Belgium then New Zealand, Iran and Australia.

Argentina can almost guarantee goals - scoring 2+ times in their last 10 straight World Cup games, while even though Egypt like to play defensively their last six games in the tournament saw both teams score.

It's 11/82.38 on both teams to score here with the bookies obviously not fancying Egypt to find the back of the net as Argentina surely will - and that looks to be the big problem for the Africans. Recent stats go against that though with Argentina scoring inside 30 minutes in four of five, while Egypt have also bagged in the first half in four of five.

Given those numbers both teams to score in the first half at 5/16.00 looks a big price, but also takes into account the size of the game and the fact Argentina are such big favourites.

So it's hard to back against Messi and co doing the business again, but everything we've seen so far in the knockouts shows us not to write off the underdogs - and Argentina have shown a weakness at the back, so we'll back goals at both ends in another tight contest.

Back big 14/115.00 shot on Messi & Salah combo

With Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah on the same field it'd be crazy not to try and take advantage by backing them both in some sort of Bet Builder.

There's an OddsBoost on the Sportsbook for a generous 7/18.00 on both Messi and Salah to be fouled 3+ times - which happened in both of their last 32 games and twice each this tournament.

Messi is 4/61.67 to score anytime, as he's done in every game so far, while Salah is 4/15.00 to score just his second goal of the World Cup. With two assists as well backing Salah for a goal or assist at 13/53.60 might be a better route for him.

Salah's 1/12.00 for just 1+ shot on target - and he's had one in three of four games plus he's on penalties and free kicks, but his most prolific stat is as a creator, with 16 chances created he leads the entire World Cup entering the last 16.

With numbers of 5-3-5-3 in his four games so far, Salah should be backed at 15/82.88 to create 3+ shots, or you can double him up with a shot on target in a 9/25.50 Bet Builder.

For Messi, his customary goal along with the tried and tested 3+ fouls drawn and 3+ shots on target added together results in a Bet Builder treble of just over 5/16.00 and has landed twice in his three starts, including easily against Cape Verde.

And what about a combo? Well the preference is to add Salah's 3+ shots created to the Messi 3+ fouled and shots double for a big superstar 14/115.00 Bet Builder treble.

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