Argentina, the current world champions, have practically already booked their ticket for the World Cup that will be held in the USA, Mexico and Canada in the summer of 2026. With six games still to play, the Albiceleste dominate the South American qualifying group with 25 points: their lead over the team in seventh place is such (12 points) that Lionel Scaloni’s men can sleep soundly, although they will try to protect their first place from a possible assault by their “cousins” Uruguay, currently in second place, 5 points behind.
The first match of 2025 coincides with the always very keenly felt Rio de la Plata derby with the Celeste at the Centenario in Montevideo. Argentina will be without Leo Messi, who is struggling with an injury. But Scaloni will also have to do without Dybala, who got injured in the last game with Roma.
On the other hand, the Argentine coach has called up seven “Italians”, that is, players who play in our Serie A. There are Dominguez and Castro from Bologna, Nico Paz and Perrone from Como, as well as veterans Nico Gonzalez and Paredes. Lautaro Martinez was also initially called up, but the Inter captain immediately returned to Italy due to an injury.
Scaloni will experiment, but he’s also expecting a reaction after the fluctuating results between September and November, which even included defeats against Colombia and Paraguay. Uruguay didn’t impress either, and are still struggling to get off the ground despite the experienced coach Marcelo Bielsa at the helm. La Celeste slowed down a little in the fall, as demonstrated by the fact that they obtained only one win (3-2 against Colombia) in six games. The attacking numbers are also worrying: excluding the three goals they conceded to Colombia, Uruguay didn’t score in four games. Bielsa will ask something more from Darwin Nunez, who has been far from brilliant in his performances with Liverpool.
Odds comparison
The “X2” sign is quoted at 1.42 on Goldbet, Lottomatica and Snai. The “Under 2.5” sign is quoted at 1.45 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.47 on Snai.
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The prediction
Since 2015, only once in official competitions have more than 2 goals been scored in matches between these two national teams. We expect another tight match with few goals, also considering Uruguay’s surprising lack of attacking prowess. Argentina, despite being without Messi and Lautaro Martinez, who picked up an injury at the last minute, should manage to avoid defeat, thus avenging the defeat suffered in November 2023, when La Celeste won 2-0 in Buenos Aires.
The probable line-ups for Uruguay-Argentina
URUGUAY (4-2-3-1): Rochet; Nandez, R. Araujo, Gimenez, Saracchi; Valverde, Bentancur; Pellistri, Aguirre, M. Araujo; Darwin Nunez.
ARGENTINA (4-3-3): Emiliano Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister; Nico González, Correa, Julian Álvarez.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1