MY ACCOUNT
– Kylian Mbappe has recorded 3+ shots on target in 37% of his starts this season
– Lionel Messi has recorded at least one shot on target in five of his six games in Qatar
– Recommended Bets: Back K.Mbappe 3+ shots on target and K.Mbappe and L.Messi 1+ shots on target each in the 1st half
Kylian Mbappe is averaging 4.71 shots per game at the World Cup with 1.88 of those being on target, remarkably similar figures to what he is producing for Paris Saint-Germain this season — 4.57 and 2.13.
After not finding the target with any of his shots in the quarter-final against England or semi-final against Morocco, the 23-year-old will be desperate to put on a show at Lusail Stadium.
The Frenchman has registered three or more shots on target in two of his six matches in Qatar, although he only featured for 28 minutes against Tunisia so that is 40% of his starts.
He has managed three or more efforts on target 10 times this term from 27 games (37%) where he has been on the pitch for an hour or more, which we can safely assume will happen on Sunday, barring any unfortunate injury.
Only Ecuador have allowed fewer shots on target per 90 minutes than Argentina in this tournament, which could make backing Mbappe to test Emiliano Martinez on at least three occasions seem unlikely, but four of the eight total shots they have faced have come in the last two rounds.
Livescore Bet’s odds of 7/2 imply Mbappe has a 22% chance of making the bet pay off, but his statistics this season would suggest it is much greater than that — almost double in fact.
Mbappe’s personal battle with his PSG teammate Lionel Messi could be more than just a sub-plot to this momentous occasion as both players are neck and neck in the running for the Golden Boot — and potentially the Golden Ball.
Star duo can combine
Ahead of the final, both forwards are tied for the number of goals (five) each have scored in the tournament with Messi just ahead of his younger rival in the race for the prestigious award by the fact that he has one more assist to his name.
If the two are equal for both goals and assists at the end of Sunday’s game then the Golden Boot will go to the one that has played the fewer minutes in Qatar — which will almost certainly be Mbappe.
They will surely not allow these individual prizes to detract from their main focus on bringing glory to their respective nations, but neither will be reluctant to shoot if the situation arises.
Mbappe can point to a very good reason as to why he should shoot at every opportunity as two of his efforts on goal led directly to Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani scoring in France’s semi-final win.
Messi has been shooting early and often throughout the tournament too with the Argentinian No10 failing to register a first-half effort on target in only one of his six appearances.
LiveScore Bet’s odds of 2/1 for K.Mbappe & L.Messi 1+ shots on target each in the 1st half therefore look quite appealing ahead of what could be an epic final.
Qatar 2022 Squads: They Score, You Score!
LiveScore Bet’s World Cup 2022 Squads is free and simple to play. Log in to view the Squads page, where you’ll get the chance to reveal up to five players. Your squad will earn you cash for each goal scored in the listed games. Reveal each player at the stated time throughout the round to complete your line-up. T&Cs apply – click here for more details.
