Three-time world champions Argentina continue their build-up to defending the World Cup trophy next summer with a clash against Angola.
Angola had been an emerging force in African football under Pedro Goncalves but a disappointing CAF qualifying campaign for next summer's tournament sees them chasing a lift ahead of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in December, albeit they are unbeaten in three matches.
Argentina have won the last two CONMEBOL Copa America titles, sandwiching that glory in Qatar, and Lionel Scaloni’s side perhaps have even better depth and quality within their squad. They eased to friendly victories against Venezuela and then Puerto Rico last month.
Can Angola be stubborn opposition or will Argentina continue to ease through their preparations? AllSportsPeople brings you this betting preview complete with the latest tips and odds.
Angola vs. Argentina preview: Who will win?
Pedro Goncalves had instilled an easy on the eye style of football for Angola but the team's lack of quality in the final third has eventually led to a stagnation in terms of their results.
Argentina have an excellent squad and have a good tactical balance to go from being able to grind out victories to getting themselves on the front foot and taking the game to the opposition.
Angola may believe they can control elements of the game but a comfortable Argentina victory is to be expected at Estadio 11 de Novembro.
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Head-to-Head: Angola vs. Argentina
- The two countries have only ever played once before with that game coming in the build-up to the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany as a warm-up friendly.
- In that game, Argentina eased to a comfortable 2-0 victory over the Angolans, who were preparing for their first and still only ever FIFA World Cup.
- Former Liverpool winger Maxi Rodriguez scored the opener before Juan Pablo Sorin made it 2-0 in that game before half-time at Stadio Arechi. Lionel Scaloni and Lionel Messi, current Argentina manager and captain, began that game on the bench.
Angola vs. Argentina: Form Guide
Angola – Last 5 Matches (All Competitions)
- Cameroon 0-0 Angola (CAF WCQ)
- Eswatini 2-2 Angola (CAF WCQ)
- Angola 3-1 Mauritius (CAF WCQ)
- Angola 0-1 Libya (CAF WCQ)
- Angola 0-2 Democratic Republic of Congo (CAF WCQ)
Argentina – Last 5 Matches (All Competitions)
- Puerto Rico 0-6 Argentina (Friendly)
- Argentina 1-0 Venezuela (Friendly)
- Ecuador 1-0 Argentina (CONMEBOL WCQ)
- Argentina 3-0 Venezuela (CONMEBOL WCQ)
- Argentina 1-1 Colombia (CONMEBOL WCQ)
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Angola vs. Argentina Score Prediction
Angola do not have the weakest defence and so they will believe they can hold the Argentinians to less of a hammering than was recently inflicted upon the Puerto Ricans.
That said, the Argentines, even if they make changes and rotate for this one in Luanda, should still ease to a comfortable victory in this one.
Prediction: Angola 0-3 Argentina (6.65 with Dafabet)
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Angola vs. Argentina Team News
Angola Team News
- Pedro Goncalves has some very good players in midfield and the final third including a couple of newer players from the last 12 months such as Swansea City winger Manuel Benson and current Pisa striker M’Bala Nzola.
- Captain and highest capped player of all time Fredy will remain at the heart of their midfield with Goncalves having adapted Rayo Vallecano striker Randy Nteka into a slightly deeper role.
- Players to have dropped out of the squad from last month include striker Gilberto, midfielder Show and defender Eddie Afonso.
Argentina Team News
- Lionel Scaloni has had to deal with a couple of goalkeeping withdrawals, including Emiliano Martinez, and so Olympique de Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli is expected to start.
- Lionel Messi, who is on 195 caps, is in the squad with Strasbourg striker and Ligue 1 top scorer Joaquin Panichelli named among the star studded group of attackers.
- However, they are also without Nahuel Molina, Marcos Acuna, Enzo Fernandez, Paulo Dybala, Franco Mastantuono, Giuliano Simeone and Julian Alvarez due to injury, whilst Scaloni has opted to leave out Alejandro Garnacho.
Angola vs. Argentina Lineups: Predicted starting XI's
This is how we think these two sides will lineup for this match at the Estadio 11 De Novembro on Friday, including a predicted start for the main man Messi.
Angola predicted lineup to play Argentina
(4-3-3) Neblu (GK) — Carmo, Buatu, Fortuna, Gaspar – Maestro, Fredy, Beni — Benson, Milson, Nzola
Argentina predicted lineup to play Angola
(4-3-3) Rulli (GK) — Foyth, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico — A. Mac Allister, De Paul, Lo Celso — Messi, Martinez, Gonzalez
Angola vs. Argentina betting odds
- Angola to Win: 13.50 with Dafabet
- Argentina to Win: 1.21
- Draw: 6.45
How to watch Angola vs. Argentina: Live stream, TV channel
Here's all the key information on how to watch Angola vs. Argentina.
- Date: Friday, November 14
- Venue: Estadio 11 de Novembro, Luanda, Angola
- Time: 9:30 p.m. IST
- TV/Stream: N/A