Argentina will host France in the final of the FIFA World Cup.

The match will start at 3 p.m. GMT on Sunday, 18 December 2022. The match venue is Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail.

Latest odds on betting sites

Argentina to win odds are priced at 2.80 (+180; American 9/5 Fractional), the odds for a draw are priced at 3.20 (+220; 11/5), while France to win odds are priced at 2.90 (+190; 19/10)

The chances of the outcomes are as follows: Argentina — 35%, draw — 31%, France — 34%.

Latest betting odds on Argentina vs France (18 December 2022):

• Over 2.5 goals — 2.40 (+140; 7/5)
• Under 2.5 goals — 2.00 (+100; 1/1)
• Argentina to win the World Cup — 2.00 (+100; 1/1)
• France to win the World Cup — 2.00 (+100; 1/1)
• Both teams to score (Yes) — 2.00 (+100; 1/1)
• Both teams to score (No) — 2.00 (+100; 1/1)

Match preview and statistics

Argentina qualified for the final of the World Cup in style after a 3-0 win over Croatia. They were awarded a penalty in the 32nd minute after Julian Alvarez was brought down in the box by Livakovic. Lionel Messi opened the scoreline in the 34th minute as he converted the penalty with a top strike into the top corner.

Julian Alvarez scored the second goal of the game in the 39th minute with a nice finish from close range after Argentina hit on the counter. Alvarez scored his second goal of the game in the 69th minute as he swept the ball into the net after an impressive move by Lionel Messi. Argentina was tactically good in the game as they booked the middle of the park with that being the opponent's strongest point.

Argentina created six big chances in the game with 2.34 expected goals. They had nine shots with seven being on target. Argentina completed 333 passes and committed 15 fouls. They had one offside and two corners in the game.

This is Lionel Messi’s last chance to win the biggest trophy in football. The Argentine international reached the final in 204 but suffered a 0-1 defeat to Germany in extra time. Argentina was brilliant in their 3-0 win in the semi-finals over Croatia as they nullified Croatia’s strength. They need to do a lot of work to get a win over France which has lots of attacking threats.

Kylian Mbappe is a significant threat and will be looking to hurt Argentina down the right-hand side. They need to be able to nullify his threats like England did while also taking care of other attacking threats such as Griezman. A 3-4-3 formation will be the best for Argentina to be able to defend strongly while playing well on the counter.

Argentina team news: All players are fit and available.

France got a 2-0 win over Morocco in the semi-finals as they reached consecutive World Cup finals. Theo Hernandez opened the scoreline in the fifth minute with an acrobatic finish after a scramble in the box. Randal Kolo Muani doubled their lead in the 79th minute with a nice finish from close range.

France had 39% ball possession. They created three big chances with 2.10 expected goals. France had 14 shots in the game with three being on target. They completed 293 passes and committed 11 fouls. France had two corners during the game.

France will be looking to win consecutive World Cup titles when they face Argentina at the Lusail Stadium. Les Blues will be hoping to stop Lionel Messi from achieving his World Cup dream. France has been hit with a virus outbreak in the team as some players are doubts about the game. Antoni Greizmann has been great in the competition and will most likely be used to man-mark Lionel Messi when they are without the ball.

France team news: Upamecano is a doubt for the game with flu.

Argentina vs France H2H

France got a 4-3 win over Argentina in the last meeting between both sides.

Projected lineups and key players

Argentina projected starting lineup:

• Emi Martinez
• Nahuel Molina
• Cristian Romero
• Nicolas Otamendi
• Marcos Acuna
• Rodrigo De Paul
• Leandro Paredes
• Lionel Messi
• Angel Di Maria
• Lautaro Martinez
• Julian Alvarez

Lionel Messi scored a goal in their 3-0 win over Croatia. Messi is the joint-highest goals scorer in the competition with five goals, overperforming his expected goals of 4.75. He is also the joint top assists with three assists

France projected starting lineup:

• Hugo Lloris
• Benjamin Pavard
• Raphael Varane
• Ibrahima Konate
• Theo Hernandez
• Aurelien Tchouameni
• Adrien Rabiot
• Antoine Griezmann
• Ousmane Dembele
• Olivier Giroud
• Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe is the joint-highest goalscorer in the World Cup with five goals, overperforming his expected goals of 3.46. Mbapppe has provided two assists while creating 11 chances.

Predictions and betting tips

This will be a tight game as both teams are defensively strong and have very good attackers. Lionel Messi will be looking to win the World Cup in his last tournament as he sets eyes on the big prize. France will be looking to win consecutive World Cup titles at the Lusail Stadium. I see Argentina edging it on Sunday and winning the World Cup. I predict Argentina will win the World Cup.

Three of the last three Argentina matches have ended in over 2.5 goals. Three of the last five matches have ended in over 2.5 goals. With Messi and Alvarez at the front line, Argentina will be looking to score many goals in the game. Mbappe and Giroud will also be looking to score a lot of goals in the fight for the Golden Boot. I predict over 2.5 goals.

Betting prediction: Argentina to win the World Cup

Odds: 2.00 (+100 American; 1/1 Fractional)

Betting prediction: Over 2.5 goals

Odds: 2.40 (+140 American; 7/5 Fractional)