Argentina will look to remain undefeated on Tuesday against Switzerland in this enticing round of 16 matchup that will decide who plays against the winner of USA vs. Belgium. The two sides will face off in Sao Paulo in what is sure to be a game of exciting attacks against frail defenses. Argentina is coming off a 3-2 victory over Nigeria wherein they showed their defensive weaknessess and attacking abilities. Switzerland is coming off a 3-0 thrashing of Honduras where Xherdan Shaqiri scored a brilliant hat trick. However, it is in defense that these teams will need to prove that they are capable of going forward in this tournament, which has been full of surprises.
Argentina will undoubedtly rely on Lionel Messi to create scoring opporunities. This is nothing new to the FC Barcelona star, nicknamed The Flea, who has scored four goals in Argentina's first three games including a stoppage time screamer to beat Iran 1-0. The Argentine attack will be without Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero for the first time in the tournament as he suffered a muscle injury and has been ruled out for the remainder of the Cup. Paris St. Germain's Ezequiel Lavezzi will fill his role for the Albiceleste and his positive wing play could actually prove to be better for the Argentines than Aguero's classic striker style. Gonzalo Higuain and Angel di Maria are also set to start, although neither one of them have shown their full abilities so far in the tournament. The pair will need to be in great attacking form if Argentina is going to break down the Swiss defense, which has proven itself to be inconsistent.
Switzerland finished second in their group after defeating Ecuador 2-1, losing to France 5-2, and beating Honduras 3-0. The Swiss have shown their great counter attacking abilities but have also proven that they are weak in defense. If they are to stop Messi and company, then they will need to shore up their defense and stay organized. The Swiss have also shown their excellent scoring ability and will need to take advantage of every counter-attacking opportunity they get to exploit the defensive weaknesses in the Argentinan back four. Shaqiri will need to be in top form if he is to create chances, especially with Javier Mascherano playing in his favorite holding midfielder role. The focus for the Swiss, though, will undoubtedly be defense where they have so far proven to be lackluster. If they are to get anything out of this match, it will be by holding the Argentinians at bay.
The best thing that could happen to this game will be an early goal. I expect the Swiss to sit back and absorb pressure, much like Iran did in their slim 1-0 defeat to Argentina. Argentina hasn't looked their best all tournament, and Swiss coach Otmar Hitzfeld will devise a strategy in which his ideal score is a small 1-0 Swiss victory through a goal on a counter attack. Argentina will need to prove to the world that they are a team that is not over-reliant on Messi, because even though Alejandro Sabella's tactics have so far won him games, the team overall has looked decent at best. Argentina, however, posess the much stronger attacking force, and therefore, should see this one out.
Prediction: 3-0 Argentina
Betting odds (Courtesy of Bovada.lv)
Argentina: -1 (-125) // (-220) Moneyline
Switzerland: +1 (+105) // (+600) Moneyline
Draw: +350
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