WORLD CUP GROUP J: The Ultra previews ARGENTINA v ALGERIA with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
🏆 World Cup 2026 🏆
🇦🇷 Argentina v Algeria 🇩🇿
2am (Wednesday) The defending champions finally enter the tournament in the early hours of Wednesday morning UK time on WORLD CUP 2026 Betdaq Betting Exchange! ! Argentina take on Algeria in Kansas City – Group J is all about Argentina and in my opinion they have a very easy draw. I feel they offer good value in the Outright market, and even Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot market is good value given the draw. Arguably the greatest footballer who ever lived starts what is almost certainly his last World Cup here – a record sixth appearance, and he turns 39 during the tournament. As you would expect, Argentina come into the game as the odds on favourites at 1.42 with Algeria 10.0 and the draw is 4.9 at the time of writing.
Argentina are trying to become the first men’s team since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup title, and the history books are stacked against them – three of the last four defending champions were eliminated at the group stage. And of course, who could forget Argentina themselves losing to Saudi Arabia in their opening game of the last World Cup! That memory alone should guarantee no complacency here. The truth is, they arrive in a very good spot; Lionel Scaloni has built an exceptional side. They pretty much tick every box, and given the weather is going to be incredibly hot at this World Cup – on paper I feel Argentina don’t have to get out of first gear until the latter stages which is a huge boost to their chances of defending their crown.
Algeria are back at the World Cup for the first time since 2014, when they reached the Round of 16 and pushed Germany all the way to extra time – still their best ever performance at this level. As I covered in the Group J preview, they qualified by winning their CAF group unbeaten, seven points clear of Uganda, although that was quite limited opposition in fairness. The headline name is Riyad Mahrez, who is 35 now and has been in the Saudi Pro League since leaving Manchester City in 2023. They will likely struggle against this top quality Argentinian side, but given there’s eight places for the third-placed sides in the Group – they will fancy their chances of getting through.
WORLD CUP 2026 Betdaq Betting Exchange!
Argentina should win this, but obviously the market is expecting that given they are trading 1.42. I still feel there’s a shade of value in that price mind. I know openers can be cagey, and I know the Saudi Arabia ghost will get mentioned plenty, but this is a different situation entirely – that defeat is precisely why Scaloni’s side won’t take anyone lightly. You would think that Algeria will come here to defend and try to grind out a draw, but that’s not their style usually. Algeria’s attacking intent might actually play into Argentina’s hands, and I’m happy to take the 1.42 on Argentina here to get their World Cup off to a winning start.
The Ultra Says:
Three points win Argentina to beat Algeria at 1.42 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/WCArAl
