Spain v Argentina: Back Spanish for World Cup glory & 4/1 Messi special

Back 9/52.80 Spain for World Cup glory

Click here for Spain v Argentina odds
Sunday, June 19, kick-off 20:00
Live on BBC1/ITV1
MetLife Stadium, New Jersey

For the first time ever the European champions and Copa America champions will meet in the World Cup final, so it's a true best of the best battle in the Big Apple as 5/42.25 favourites Spain take on 13/53.60 defending champions Argentina.

Both sides are winners - Luis de la Fuente still hasn't lost a major tournament game as Spain boss (W13 D1) while Argentina have won 14 in a row and simply refuse to lose time and time again.

Spain are odds-on at 4/61.67 to lift the World Cup for the second time with Argentina 5/42.25 to become just the second team to win back-to-back world titles. The last three defending champs to reach the final have all lost though.

We know all about these sides now and how the game will go - Spain are the first team to keep six clean sheets in a single World Cup, they've not gone behind for a minute and they dealt with France easily in the semis and they're 11/43.75 for another win to nil in the final.

Argentina have been doing it the hard way, needing extra-time or late goals to scrape through each knockout round - scoring a record eight times after the 85th minute this tournament. Three of Spain's last four have seen a goal past 85 minutes too so we could well have more late drama here.

So if Lionel Messi is to lift the World Cup again it'll have to be Argentina to win and both teams to score at 13/27.50 - while the 11/102.11 on the second half to have the most goals looks assured.

Either team in extra-time is 13/27.50 and is well in play - for as dominant as Spain can be they scored with both of just two shots on target against France, if they don't put Argentina away we all know what will happen.

So will Spain be able to control Argentina's late burst, or will their fighting spirit, Messi's magic (or even the odd refereeing decision) see them pull off another late, late show. I've got to pick a winner and although the South Americans look a team of destiny, going back to the well and doing it yet again, against this Spain team, seems a bit too much to ask.

I can see a 2-1 but also a 2-0 or 3-0 for Spain if they play it right, so will take a safe approach to cover the lot - ultimately though it should be Spain celebrating in New York on Sunday.

Back main man Messi in 4/15.00 Bet Builder

Lionel Messi will obviously be all the rage and you can back a clean sweep for the great man at 9/43.25 for Argentina to win the World Cup and messi to win the Golden Boot and Golden Ball.

Messi's already pretty much got the Golden Boot in the bag and if you think anyone else is winning Golden Ball if Argentina win the World Cup then you're on a different planet.

Referees possibly favouring Messi has been a theme of the World Cup, so another special of interest is the 7/18.00 on 2+ Spain players to be booked for a foul on Messi.

Don't forget we've got Lamine Yamal on the other side - perhaps the next Messi-like superstar - and you can back the Spanish youngster along with Messi in another speical.

Messi and Yamal for 2+ shots on target and to be fouled 2+ times is 17/29.50.

But we'll stick with a Messi Bet Builder for this one - and let's face it he's going to score isn't he? It's the World Cup final and that's just what he does. But there's also some value in him giving away a foul himself, he's been blown up twice but should have easily given away more, with the eyes of the world on the ref he's going to at least give one against him.

Back Spain star Yamal in 6/17.00 treble

Lamal has 2+ shots on target in three of four knockout games while he's been fouled 2+ times twice - but his most consistent stat line is actually giving away fouls - 10 in total in the knockouts and 2+ in the last three games.

Yamal is 1/12.00 for 2+ fouls which woud be my top bet for him - while Marc Cucurella at 5/61.84 for the same 2+ fouls is a solid Bet Builder addition as he'll see the most of Messi.

Shots on target could be thin on the ground, but two value plays outside of the obvious are Dani Olmo at 1/12.00 as I don't think too much of Argentina's centre halves to prevent him linking up with Mikel Oyarzabal.

And also Alexis Mac Allister at 9/52.80 after hitting the target in the last three games - Argentina won't get much but when he gets into advanced areas he's pretty accurate.

But I'd focus on fouls really - Argentina have to make it scrappy and they're pretty good at it, and even better at dragging the other team into the fight, so Spain's fouls double looks the perfect bet at the prices.

Now read more World Cup tips here!