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World Cup Group C Matchday 3 Odds, Preview, and Betting Tips

Argentina boosted their chances of staying in the competition with a win over Mexico last time out, leaving Group C wide open going into the final group games in this section.

Saudi Arabia have a great chance of making the round of 16 and even the bottom side, Mexico, can still qualify – but where is the best value in the World Cup Group C matchday 3 betting odds?

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Poland v Argentina

Date and time: 30/11/2022, 1900 KO
Venue: Stadium 974 (Doha)
Broadcast: BBC

Poland and Argentina both won their middle group games, beating Saudi Arabia and Mexico respectively by the same 2-0 scoreline, ensuring that this pool remains wide open going into Wednesday’s games.

These two teams have not met at the World Cup since the 1970s, when they met at successive tournaments and traded a win apiece, but Argentina are favourites in the Group C betting odds.

Defeat to Saudi Arabia is the only match Argentina have lost in their last 38 matches, so while the South American champions had that costly slip up, rebounding against Mexico was back to business as usual.

Talisman Lionel Messi, who led his country to the Copa America title, has scored the opening goal in both group games so far. Messi is naturally of the most interest when it comes to player props bets here.

The Paris Saint-Germain superstar is 19/20 with 888Sport to score any time against Poland. Messi is also offered at a good value 11/4 with 888Sport to score the first goal for the third straight group game.

Poland’s win over Saudi Arabia means that they only need to avoid defeat to guarantee they will be in the round of 16, whereas Argentina have to win to be sure of making it into the next round.

On paper, Argentina should have too much quality for Poland and their comfortable win over Mexico appeared to show Lionel Scaloni’s side have ironed out some of the glitches that led to the Saudi loss.

With Argentina having won nine of their past 11 games with clean sheets, defensive solidity has been key to their recent success. Indeed, when they beat European champions Italy 3-0 at Wembley earlier in the year, they hardly conceded a chance in a dominant display in London.

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Argentina are simply too short to recommend backing in the World Cup Group C matchday 3 betting odds. However, Poland do not have much goal threat and drew a blank against Mexico last week.

Therefore, Argentina to win to nil is a solid selection at a good price of 23/20 with 888Sport. Messi to score the opening goal in a 2-0 win for Argentina can be backed at 29/2 on the scorecast market.

Saudi Arabia v Mexico

Date and time: 30/11/2022, 1900 KO
Venue: Lusail Iconic Stadium (Lusail)
Broadcast: BBC

Few gave Saudi Arabia any hope of reaching the knockout stages at Qatar 2022, but they go into the last round of group games knowing they will be in the round of 16 if they beat Mexico on Wednesday.

Mexico have been one of the biggest disappointments of the tournament so far. Usually a perennial fixture in the knockout stages, Mexico have to win to have any chance of extending their stay in Qatar but will also need the result of the game between Argentina and Poland to go their way as well.

The World Cup Group C matchday 3 betting odds point to a Mexico win, which is partly down to the large gap between the sides in the FIFA world rankings. Mexico are ranked 13 in the world by FIFA, whereas the Saudi side are down in 51st – below even the tournament hosts, Qatar.

Herve Renard’s men eventually came undone against Poland but it was another impressive performance from Saudi Arabia, indicating they could be underrated once more by the bookmakers here.

Mexico have yet to score at Qatar 2022 so while they should be too strong for Saudi Arabia, it is hard to back them at such short odds. The lack of goalscorer in the Mexico side is clear with Raul Jimenez still yet to get back to his best after the scary head injury he sustained when playing for Wolves.

The 23/20 from 888Sport for Saudi Arabia to draw or win on the double chance market seems to be a strong place to start here. Alternatively, good value is offered on the handicap markets here as well.

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Saudi Arabia +1 is at 6/5 with 888Sport, with Saudi Arabia +2 very likely to land at a short price of 2/5.

With so much at stake, a tight and tense affair is likely here. Many games at Qatar 2022 have struggled to live up to their billing and this one could follow suit. With three of Saudi Arabia’s last 10 games ended 0-0, this looks like the best pick from the correct scores market at 888Sport at a price of 11/1.

Author: Jamie Smith