Argentina vs. Brazil Prediction, Pick, Odds for World Cup Qualifiers

It’s the Superclasico of the Americas as Argentina, the defending World Cup champions, take on Brazil, five-time winners, in the biggest game in South American international football.

Here is my Argentina vs. Brazil prediction and odds for the World Cup Qualifiers.

Argentina vs. Brazil Prediction, Pick, Odds

• Argentina vs. Brazil moneyline odds: Argentina +120, Draw +220, Brazil +250
• Argentina vs. Brazil over/under: 2.5  Goals (+150/-200)
• Argentina vs. Brazil pick: Under 2.5 Goals, Argentina to Win

I am backing Under 2.5 Goals and Argentina to Win in the Argentina vs. Brazil match.

Argentina enters its second match in a South American Qualifiers double-header with its ticket to the 2026 World Cup almost sealed. A narrow, hard-fought 1-0 win over Uruguay last Friday means they can no longer drop below seventh place in the table, which grants nations a place in an inter-confederation playoff berth, the last chance for a final spot in the World Cup.

The defending World Cup winners are on a roll. Top of the Conmebol qualifiers with 28 points after 13 games, head coach Lionel Scaloni has overseen seven wins across their previous eight World Cup qualifying games at home, and an incredible 11 clean sheets in their past 12 home-played qualifiers.

Still, there are some doubts about how much longer they can keep it going. The win against Uruguay left Argentina on the cusp of another World Cup appearance, but it also left an image of a team that struggled to break down a weaker opponent.

Captain and leader Lionel Messi, set to turn 38 in June, announced he’d miss the double-header, but there hasn’t been much talk about how the team will adjust to his slowing pace and ever-decreasing availability.

Forwards Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan) and Paulo Dybala (Roma), two key men in Scaloni’s tenure, are also out. At the same time, midfielder Rodrigo De Paul had to be rested against Uruguay, prioritizing an appearance against Brazil.

Brazil, the only country with a 100% appearance record in the World Cup, is finally showing what it can do after a dreadful start that saw them win one, draw one and lose four of their first six matches.

Now, on an unbeaten five-game run that includes back-to-back victories over Chile and Peru, the Verde Amarelha are third with 21 points and will undoubtedly fight for a best-of-the-rest spot with Ecuador (2nd, 22 points) and Uruguay (4th, 20 points).

However, their recent track record doesn’t help. Just one win in their past five games away from the qualifiers speaks of a team that relies too much on its home fans. They’re also on the hunt for their first win against Argentina in six years.

The biggest team news in undoubtedly the absence of international superstar Neymar, but others — such as Manchester City’s goalkeeper Ederson, Liverpool’s Alisson Becker and former Marseille and Roma midfielder Gerson — will also miss this match. Premier League stars Gabriel Magalhaes and Bruno Guimaraes’ suspensions bring another headache for head coach Dorival Júnior.

An uninspired Argentina hosts an underperforming and perhaps even understaffed Brazil, so this clash between South America’s biggest superpowers will be more grind and less flair.

While the home crowd will undoubtedly push the Albiceleste to a better performance than they gave against Uruguay, it’s also worth remembering that a draw is enough for Argentina to secure a 2026 World Cup ticket. Brazil needs more from this clash, but without many of its key performers, it may not have enough to snatch a result against the defending World Cup champions.

I ultimately believe Argentina can win and seal their ticket, but am bracing for a very tactical, unadventurous game from both teams

Argentina vs. Brazil Pick: Under 2.5 Goals, Argentina to Win