World Cup Opta Stats: Argentina to kill Belgium's hype

The wait for a Gonzalo Higuain goal at World Cup 2014 is ongoing

Argentina haven't been brilliant at this World Cup, but the Opta trends point to them conquering Belgium...

Argentina v Belgium
Saturday, 17:00
Live on ITV

Match Odds: Argentina 2.245/4, Belgium 3.9n/a, The Draw 3.39/4

Since the start of World Cup 2010, Argentina have won eight out of nine games in the competition

Seven of those victories were achieved in 90 minutes, with the only complete failure being the 0-4 quarter-final flop to Germany in 2010. They have won three of their four prior clashes with Belgium, one of which was a World Cup knockout tie. Though their record at this edition has been criticised, they have vanquished every team put in their path and kept two clean sheets along the way too. The Albiceleste have also been the most dominant side in Brazil for possession, averaging a meaty 64.3%.

Recommended Bet: Back Argentina to win @ 2.245/4

All of Argentina and Belgium's wins at this World Cup have been by a one-goal difference

Argentina and Belgium have specialised in doing the bare minimum to get by in their early World Cup endeavours, with Argentina defeating Bosnia 2-1, scraping past Iran 1-0 with a late effort and edging out Nigeria 3-2 before a 1-0 extra-time triumph over Switzerland in the round-of-16. When Belgium lose, as the first bolded Opta stat suggests they will, they tend to be beaten by the slimmest margin, with six of their last eight reverses inflicted by virtue of netting one less than their adversaries.

Best Bet: Back Argentina to win by one goal @ 4.03/1

Belgium's six goals in this World Cup have all been scored from the 70th minute onwards

Whereas Argentina rely on Lionel Messi for inspiration - with the mercurial number ten capable of striking at any time - Belgium have depended on their substitutes to fire them through. Only two of their six goals at this World Cup were grabbed by starters, and even they arrived in the 78th and 93rd (extra time) minutes. Argentina have notched before their opponents in all four matches, admittedly waiting until extra time in the latest, making the breakthrough within three minutes in two of them.

Recommended Bet: Back Argentina to score the next (first) goal @ 1.875/6