Two-time World Cup champions France and Argentina are the last teams standing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and they will meet in Sunday's final at Lusail Stadium. France are the reigning champions and also won the 1998 World Cup. Argentina's titles came in 1978 and 1986. Now, it's global soccer icon Lionel Messi of Argentina against France's young star Kylian Mbappe for the world's top prize. They are tied in the Golden Boot race with five goals apiece, but both are surrounded by talented players, and it showed in the semifinals. Argentina beat Croatia, the 2018 runners-up, 2-0 on Tuesday. France dispatched highly-respected upstart Morocco 2-0 on Wednesday.
Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. ET at Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Caesars Sportsbook lists Argentina as the +160 favorites on the 90-minute money line (risk $100 to win $160) in its latest Argentina vs. France odds. France are +185 underdogs, a draw is +205 and the over/under for total goals is set at 2.5. Argentina are -125 to lift the trophy with France listed at +100. Before locking in any France vs. Argentina picks, you need to see the World Cup predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven soccer model.
The SportsLine soccer simulation model evaluates a team's offensive and defensive capabilities based on the game situation. Then, it assigns a grade using an expected payout-to-probability ratio. The model was accurate on 56% of all picks during the Champions League group stage and returned more than $1,000 to $100 bettors on its A+ picks. It also enters the World Cup semifinals on a 33-15-4 run on spread picks, returning more than $1,400 for $100 bettors. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now the model has dialed in on France vs. Argentina and just revealed its 2022 World Cup picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see all of the model's soccer picks. Here are the World Cup 2022 odds and trends for Argentina vs. France:
- France vs. Argentina spread: Argentina -0.5 (+165)
- France vs. Argentina over/under: 2.5 goals (Over +135, Under -175)
- France vs. Argentina 90-minute money line: Argentina +160, France +185, Draw +205
- France vs. Argentina to lift the trophy: Argentina -125, France +100
- Argentina: They have a 12-5 goal advantage in this World Cup.
- France: They have outscored their opponents 13-4 in Qatar.
- France vs. Argentina picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why you should back Argentina
La Albiceleste have revolved around Messi for many years, but now he has young talent around him. They also have been one of the best defensive teams in Qatar. Messi has five goals and three assists, putting him in excellent position to win the Golden Boot, as assists are the tiebreaker. Messi is the all-time leader in goals (96) and caps (171) with the national team. Young striker Julian Alvarez is having a breakout campaign, recording four goals. He and Messi should be trouble for a France back line that has just three clean sheets in 14 matches in 2022.
Alvarez also drew a penalty that Messi converted against Croatia, and France allowed two penalties against England. Argentina have allowed eight shots on target in the tournament, with 23% of the total attempts finding the target. France have allowed 20 on target out of 60 shots (33%). La Albiceleste have scored at least twice in 12 of their 15 matches in 2022, posting 10 clean sheets.
Why you should back France
Despite being the defending champions, Les Bleus won't be facing the same level of pressure as the Argentines. La Albiceleste are under the intense weight of trying to get Messi his title. On the other hand, Mbappe will be trying to show he belongs in the same conversation as the likes of Messi and Pele among the sport's greats. The 23-year-old already has 33 goals in 63 matches for France, including nine in 13 World Cup matches. Mbappe is far from the only scoring threat for France, and Olivier Giroud became the team's all-time top scorer in Qatar.
Giroud has four goals in this World Cup. His knack for being in the right place, along with the speed and finishing ability of Mbappe, can trouble any defense. Antoine Griezmann drives the attack, and he has 42 goals (third all-time) and 26 assists for the national team. France have 30 shots on target in the six games while allowing 20, with eight of those coming against England. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has eight clean sheets in 19 World Cup matches. Les Bleus beat Argentina 4-3 in the 2018 Round of 16, getting two goals from Mbappe and one from Griezmann.
How to make France vs. Argentina picks
The model is picking Over 2.5 goals and it also says one side of the money line has all the value. You can only get the model's FIFA World Cup 2022 picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Argentina vs. France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final? And which side has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side to back, all from the model that's up over $1,400 on its World Cup spread picks, and find out.
