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29th Jun 2018 | World Cup

Former Champions Showdown

Surely France will come to life as we reach the knockout phases. The way Argentina play chances at both ends look inevitable.

The tie of the round on paper comes first up when two former World Cup winners meet for the first time this summer.

It’s a tough one to call with France progressing this far without any fuss or attacking verve whereas Argentina struggled all the way through Group D but their last gasp rescue act may give them a lift we can’t yet quantify.

Instead of picking a winner I’d point you towards William Hill’s enhanced 13/2 on Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi both scoring in 90 minutes on Saturday.

That price is alluring when you consider what these two talisman are capable of. The Frenchman is right to point out that he didn’t get going till the last 16 in Euro 2016 and the very fact he thinks that might happen again feeds him confidence.

Griezmann weighed in heavily with Atletico Madrid as usual this season, bagging a brace in the Europa League final victory last month. He’s a big game player.

That can certainly also be said of Leo Messi who responded to all the pressure and criticism after the loss to Croatia with an inspired goal with his ‘wrong’ foot against Nigeria. He also hit the post and I wouldn’t back against the great man producing a moment of majesty here.

1pt Messi & Griezmann to score (in 90 mins) 13/2 with William Hill
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Odds correct at time of publishing: 17:07 29th Jun, 2018 but subject to change