Our next match preview will be between two sides fighting for different reasons. With the shocking loss in the opening week, Argentina is going to need to match the result of Saudi Arabia (or Mexico doesn't comfortably beat them). If they defeat Poland, they are in a great position to top the group. Poland is pretty much through unless they implode and the results go against them.
We are now getting into the swing of the World Cup, with a few groups taking shape already. The team at RotoBaller has you covered for all your World Cup needs. We'll bring you DFS articles, game previews, and betting picks throughout the competition.
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Poland Team Breakdown
Poland legend Robert Lewandowski finally scored a goal at the World Cup against Saudi Arabia, after missing a penalty against Mexico. The issue is that he is pretty much the attacking threat of the team. He has had more shots than anyone else on the team (he actually leads the team with seven shots, no other player has more than two). There is also no other player on the team that has created more chances than him. Poland is on the cusp of history, with the team looking to qualify from a World Cup group for the first time since 1986. Poland is likely to line up with a 4-4-2 formation in this one.
Strengths: Poland is yet to concede a goal in the tournament, one of a handful to have done that so far. This team's defensive ability really helps them grind results, and they are going to need to be at their best in this one. Argentina will be trying to get a result with their attacking threats moving forward, and it's going to be how Poland deals with that which determines if they get something from the game.
Weaknesses: The weakness of Poland is its midfield. They are solid defensively, but they aren't very creative moving forward. If Argentina is able to get a foothold in the middle of the park and get a lead, it could be hard for Poland to get back into the game.
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Argentina Team Breakdown
After one of the biggest shock defeats in the tournament against Saudi Arabia, the team bounced back with a 2-0 victory over Mexico. A defeat sends Argentina home, and a draw will leave them needing a result to go their way between Saudi Arabia and Mexico. Poland's defense is solid, while Argentina's attacking threat is able to create threats from all over the field. With Poland only needing a draw, we could see Argentina needing some magic to get a result here to break down their defense. Argentina is likely to play in a 4-3-3 formation.
Strengths: Lionel Messi. It really doesn't matter too much what everyone is doing on the field. If Messi is on the field, then Argentina has a chance to get a result. His ability, even at this stage of his career, makes him the best player on the field. You don't need to look any further than the game against Mexico. Argentina needed nothing short of a win to get back on track, and there he was when it mattered- with a goal and an assist.
Weaknesses: Defense. The team hasn't really found a backline that they have settled upon. Their fullbacks have struggled to give the team the width they have needed and could be set to change again in this one. In the middle of the defense, the team is relatively solid with the combination of Lisandro Martinez and Nicolas Otamendi. If Poland can find success out wide, Lewandowski could really hurt them in the middle of the field.
Poland vs Argentina Prediction
This game has consequences for both teams. The team that finishes second in the group is likely to face France- and that feels like a death nail currently. Poland has the potential to get a result here, with the team working well as a unit- they also just need to get a draw here to finish at the top of the group (unless something crazy happens in the Saudi Arabia vs. Mexico game). I don't think Argentina loses in this one, and I think they win a cagey game- but I wouldn't be surprised at all if this was a draw, as it could suit both teams.
Score prediction: Poland 1 - 2 Argentina