The final round of matches in World Cup Group J take place early on Sunday when Algeria clash with Austria and Jordan take on Argentina
Group J Update
Argentina have the maximum 6 points are already assured of top spot in this group. Austria and Algeria are second and third respectively on 3 points and Jordan have lost both their matches and are no longer in contention for a place in the knockout rounds.
A reminder that the final round of matches in each group share the same kick off time. Should two or more teams finish equal on points in their group the first criteria used to determine the final standings is the head to head record. The 8 best third placed finishers from the 12 groups will also qualify for the Round of 32.
Algeria vs Austria (Kansas City)
Algeria
Algeria put themselves on the board and back in contention for place in the knockout rounds when they came from behind to beat Jordan 2-1 in San Francisco. After going into half time 1-0 down second half corners led to goals for Nadhir Benbouali on 69 minutes and Amine Gouiri on 82 minutes.
Algeria struggled to lay a glove on Argentina in Kansas City in their opening match and they went down 3-0. They conceded once in the first half and twice in the second, they failed to register an attempt on target.
Austria
Austria struggled to create clear cut chances in their 2-0 defeat to Argentina in Dallas in their second group match, registering 6 shots and just the 1 on target. They hold on to second spot given they have a goal difference of 0 compared to Algeria’s -2 so a point here would guarantee they finish as runners up.
Austria eventually saw off debutants Jordan with a 3-1 win in San Francisco first up. Romano Schmid rifled in a shot to open the scoring on 21 minutes; it was 1-0 at half time but Jordan squared things up early in the second half. Austria regained the lead thanks to a 76th minute own goal before Marko Arnautovic made sure of the win with a penalty deep in injury time.
The Betting:
Algeria are priced at around 31/10 to win the game with the draw available at 13/10 and Austria can be backed at around 19/10.
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 1.67/1 and its 19/20 for both teams to score
The Verdict:
Both these sides had issues with Jordan and didn’t trouble Argentina so look evenly matched. Throw in a point for both teams here and 4 points being good enough to go through and I can understand why the draw is trading so short.
However there has to be scope for a twist and I’m going to take a speculative play on Sabitzer to score anytime for Austria
Bets: Anytime goalscorer Sabitzer at 33/10 with Pokerbet
Note, odds are subject to change
Jordan vs Argentina (Dallas)
Jordan
Jordan’s hopes of a first World Cup Finals point were dashed after they let a 1-0 slip against Algeria in San Francisco. They saw little of the ball but Nizar Al Rashdan gave them a first half lead before Algeria came back with second half goals to run out 2-1 winners and end Jordan’s hopes of reaching the Round of 32.
Jordan’s first appearance in the World Cup Finals came against Austria in San Francisco and ended in a 3-1 defeat. They were 1-0 down at half time but Ali Olwan made history with their equalizer early in the second period. It stayed that way until Yazan Al Arab put through his own net on 76 minutes and Austria added a third from the penalty spot deep into injury time.
Argentina
Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria in their second group match in Dallas wrapped up top spot and whatever the result here they can look forward to a Round of 32 clash with which ever nation finishes as the runner up in Group H on Friday 3rd July in Miami.
The win over Austria came with 2 more goals from Lionel Messi, the first on 38 minutes and the second deep into injury time. Messi, who has now scored all 5 of Argentina’s goals in this tournament also missed an early penalty but he is now alone as the top scorer in World Cup history.
The defending champions came through their first task with a comfortable 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City. The night belonged to Lionel Messi who scored a hat trick.
The Betting:
Jordan are priced at around 12/1 to win the game with the draw available at 62/10 and Argentina can be backed at around 1 / 5.
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 6/10 and its 1.35/1 for both teams to score
The Verdict:
Argentina have the job done already and could rotate if they so wish which doesn’t make an early call any easier.
I’ll settle for a bit of a novelty bet to finish the group stage and given Argentina should have plenty of the ball and shots, I’m wagering they will hit the woodwork.
Bets: Argentina woodwork, over 0.5 at 17/10 with Pokerbet
Note, odds are subject to change
