Argentina-Egypt, Colombia-Switzerland World Cup odds, best bets: What does Messi have next?

The World Cup round of 16 concludes on Tuesday with two South American teams favored to advance. Argentina, one of the featured teams of the tournament, is back in action after its dramatic win against Cape Verde, while Colombia and Switzerland meet in one of the closest matches of the round on paper.

Here’s a look at both matches and the odds that go with them, plus some picks from our betting staff.

Argentina-Egypt

Time: Noon ET

TV: Fox (English), Telemundo (Spanish)

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

Argentina is coming off arguably the game of the tournament. Will La Albiceleste be drained from that experience or refocused and ready for Egypt?

While Egypt doesn’t have the Cinderella story of Cape Verde, the Pharaohs are by far the biggest long shot of the remaining field to win the World Cup (250-to-1). Part of that is because Egypt is facing Argentina as a huge underdog in this match, but it’s also because Egypt is the lowest-ranked team left.

Argentina is a favorite to win almost every time it plays and has been a massive favorite in every match of this World Cup so far. Once again, Lionel Messi’s team takes the field with expectations of winning, and arguably winning with style.

The 3-2 extra-time win against Cape Verde featured excitement, but not ease for Argentina. Can Egypt push the reigning world champions in a similar way?

Argentina is -700 (1-to-7) to advance from this match and -270 to win in regulation. Egypt isn’t as big of an underdog as Cape Verde was, but it would still be a massive shock if Argentina doesn’t take care of business.

Messi has been a massive star at this World Cup with seven goals, but doesn’t even lead the Golden Boot race by himself. France’s Kylian Mbappé and Norway’s Erling Haaland matched Messi’s seven with crucial goals earlier in this round. Now, it’s Messi’s turn to try to put some distance between him and those stars again.

Messi is -170 to score on DraftKings, a comical number for a final 16 match at a World Cup. No one should be expected to score a goal in a knockout match, but he has scored in eight straight World Cup games.

Egypt, the most successful side in the African Cup of Nations with seven titles and a population over 100 million, somehow entered this tournament without a World Cup win. The Pharaohs have an opportunity for the biggest win in the team’s history.

Colombia-Switzerland

Time: 4 p.m. ET

TV: Fox (English), Telemundo (Spanish)

Venue: BC Place, Vancouver

As the host countries have dropped out, Colombia remains as a team that has had some of the best fan support throughout. The seas of yellow have been loud and have had plenty to cheer about. Los Cafeteros have come in under the radar a touch as far as contending teams, but are favored to get past Switzerland and make the quarterfinals.

Colombia won its group, which included favored Portugal, and was firmly in control of its last-32 match against Ghana. Los Cafeteros entered the round of 16 second in the tournament with 79 total shots, which ranked second in the field behind Belgium, and 27 shots on target, which was tied for fourth. Despite those shots, Colombia has only managed five goals in four matches. It’s hard to say if that’s a shooting problem, bad luck or good goalkeeping from the opposition, but Colombia can’t afford to continue to be so wasteful.

Switzerland was very efficient in its 2-0 win against Algeria last round. The Swiss scored early in both halves and cruised to a comfortable win.

This is the fourth World Cup in a row that Switzerland has made it to the final 16. The Swiss have lost at this stage in the previous three and five of the last eight World Cups. Colombia has only made a World Cup quarterfinal once, in 2014, while Switzerland is hoping to reach that stage for the first time since hosting in 1954.

When this match takes place in Canada, Colombia will be the first and only team to play at all three countries hosting this World Cup.

Colombia is favored to advance, but this is one of the tightest matches of the round on paper. The Colombians are -160 on DraftKings and -164 on FanDuel to advance. Either team winning in regulation is plus-money.

Best bets

Mike Hume: Egypt-Argentina under 2.5 goals, -113 (DraftKings)

If Mohamed Salah is dinged up, I’m wondering if Egypt can dent the scoreboard. If not, I think Argentina would be more than happy to cruise to a 2-0 win. Although we know what can happen when Argentina goes up 2-0.

Dan Santaromita: Colombia-Switzerland both teams to score no, -110 (FanDuel)

Colombia will likely have the better run of play, but has been so wasteful in front of goal. I think the Swiss have a chance to win, but injuries are a concern so I’m going with this being low-scoring and a chance of being one-sided if Switzerland aren’t at full strength.

Dean Jones: Argentina-Egypt tie after 90 minutes, +380 (DraftKings)

The reigning champions will be hoping for a less dramatic game than their win over Cape Verde, but Egypt are well-functioning and have the ability to take this one to the wire. Three of Egypt’s four matches at this tournament have ended in a draw after 90 minutes, and their aim will be to ensure this one does not get away from them, so expect it to be cagey.

Vik Chokshi: Luis Diaz to score or assist including extra time, +120 (FanDuel)

Colombia’s attack goes through Diaz. I like Colombia to win this one in the 1-0, 2-1 range. If they score, Diaz will be a part of it.

Picks records