Argentina clash with Mexico on Saturday in the first of two consecutive friendlies between the nations.
Caretaker manager Lionel Scaloni will be hoping his side can bounce back having suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to South American rivals Brazil during the last international break.
Likewise Mexico also lost by a single goal margin having fired a blank against Chile during their last outing, and manager Ricardo Ferretti will be looking to put that result behind him when his side travel south of the border.
Argentina host the first friendly this weekend before Scaloni and his side travel to Mexico where the second match will take place on Wednesday.
Read on for Argentina vs Mexico live stream options, team news, predicted XIs, stats and TV channel info.
When is Argentina vs Mexico?
Competition: International friendly
Venue: Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, Argentina
Date: Saturday, 16 November
Kick-Off: 12:00 AM BST
Where can I watch live?
Argentina vs Mexico is streaming live on Unibet TV. Register here & fund your account to tune in.
Match Preview
International friendlies are often overlooked by fans as there is not much to play for other than pride, but they are largely used by national coaches to test formations, tinker with tactics and try out new players.
This match is no exception to the rule in that regard, and while it will certainly offer great insight for both Scaloni and Ferretti, it will also offer plenty of entertainment with both sides boasting a plethora of attacking talent in their ranks despite some noticeable absentees.
La Albiceleste are one of the great attacking football nations while El Tri proved a very formidable attacking force during the World Cup in Russia, so expect a high intensity game.
There will also be a chance for fringe players to stake a claim in starting XIs with only eight of Argentina’s 27-man squad capped for the national side at double digits, while Ferretti has largely avoided calling on big names from Europe.
With another game between these two taking place in less than a week, both teams would love to lay down a marker and win this one, in the hope of completing the double when they meet again.
Can Argentina bounce back from disappointing World Cup?
We all remember the struggles Argentina faced in the World Cup during the summer, and over the next few months they are going to be an intriguing team to watch. Can they bounce back and become a force once more?
If they are going to do that, they will have to do it without Lionel Messi, who is closing in on retirement from international football after a great career. The significant issues in Russia seemed to be in regards to mentality as they lacked concentration as well as confidence in the tournament.
There are, however, no such issues in terms of quality as the nation boast some of the finest players in world football, and they could yet assert authority on the global stage, though that will be dependent on whether they appoint the right coach.
Do we need interim managers in international football?
Both Argentina and Mexico come into this game with an interim manager in charge, but are these roles really necessary in international football? The gaps between games and tournaments would suggest not, as the uncertainty surrounding the managerial vacancy would make preparations for these matches seem almost redundant.
There is no reason why these two shouldn’t have made an official, full-time appointment before now. They are both unlikely to move forward until the situation is rectified, so it isn’t doing the team any good either. There appears to be no reason for it.
Can Argentina cope without attacking quartet?
If Scaloni is trying to impress the Argentine Football Association as he hopes to become the next permanent manager of the nation, then he will have to do it without Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria.
All four players are absent for this match, and so La Albiceleste have called upon five forwards who have just three international goals between them, but can they inject fresh impetus and carry the South American nation forward?
On first glance the answer is yes. Mauro Icardi and Paulo Dybala offer world-class attacking talent, while Giovanni Simeone demonstrated his prowess for Fiorentina last season – Lautaro Martinez and Angel Correa are also very potent forwards and offer a substantial threat for Scaloni.
Head to Head
These two teams have met 31 times before, with Argentina currently holding the advantage with 15 wins.
Argentina wins: 13 Mexico wins: 5 Draws: 14
Team News
Lionel Messi will not play a part in this game due to his recent injury for Barcelona, leaving others the chance to grab the limelight and make a case that they are capable of leading this team forward when the marvel retires.
Maradona recently called Argentina’s predicament a “pickle” without the involvement of Messi who has ruled himself out of selection for a number of friendly matches since the World Cup ended, while he was also forced to deny claims that he criticised the star after stating that he was not a leader because he “goes to the bathroom 20 times before a game.”
Maradona hit back saying “Leo is a friend of mine and I’d never speak ill of a friend. All I said was that Leo is a phenomenon. And that there were players who go to the toilet 20 times, but I never made any reference to Leo.”
Nicolas Otamendi pulled out of the squad through injury while Spurs duo Paulo Gazzaniga and Juan Foyth could make their debuts after receiving call ups from Scaloni.
Mexico will be without Hirving Lozano who sustained a knee injury, while star forwards Javier Hernandez and Carlos Vela were omitted from the squad.
Squawka Prediction
These two appear to be in a transition period right now, though the lack of a full-time manager is certainly stunting any development at present.
Argentina have life without Messi to look forward to in the coming years, and with him unavailable here, other players have the chance to show what they are capable of achieving.
Since coming in as interim coach, Lionel Scaloni has helped Argentina become far more stable at the back with the nation keeping three clean sheets in their last four matches, and just one goal conceded, which came against Brazil.
Argentina should have enough firepower to see off Mexico. 2-0.
Predictions & Betting Tips
1. Argentina to win @ 5/8
The big issue during the summer with Argentina was not a lack of talent, but a lack of confidence. Scaloni appears to have re-installed some of that, especially defensively and with a solid platform to build on, they can take this game here.
Key Stat: Argentina have won three out of four games since the World Cup
Tip: Argentina to win @ 5/8 with BetBull – bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (15/11/2018, 18:12)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
2. Mexico Under 0.5 goals @ 21/20
Argentina were at their most disappointing from a defensive point of view at the World Cup but it seems that new boss Scaloni has really focused on this. They have conceded just one goal in four games recently and they can keep another clean sheet here against a Mexico team without their usual attacking threat.
Key Stat: In the four matches post-World Cup, Argentina have kept three clean sheets and conceded just one goal
Tip: Mexico Under 0.5 goals @ 21/20 with BetBull – bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (15/11/2018, 18:12)
3. Argentina to win 2-0 @ 6/1
With a number of notable attacking absentees from the Mexico squad, Ferretti’s side may struggle to break down a recently resilient Argentina side, who have netted seven goals in their previous four matches.
Key Stat: Argentina have netted seven goals in four matches since the World Cup.
Tip: Argentina to win 2-0 @ 6/1 with BetBull – bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (15/11/2018, 18:12)
Search squawkagaming on BetBull to follow all our tips for Argentina vs Mexico and more.
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