Despite the struggles in qualifying, Argentina could be one of the contenders for success, or catastrophic failure in South Africa - which should make Diego Maradona's side a good bet for specials betting. Much will depend on the form of Lionel Messi and other likely attackers players such as Aguero, Tevez (if selected), Di Maria and Maxi Rodriguez - and whether they can devise a system that can protect a vulnerable defence between now and the summer.
They are 10-1 to win the tournament with five firms including Bet Fred, Tote Sport and Bluesq, with 4-1 offered by Sky Bet and Bet Fred for them to reach the final. Other win odds are available on South America being the continent of the winner (9-4 with five firms including Boylesports, 888Sport and Ladbrokes), Conmebol to be the winning confederation (11-5 Sky Bet and Paddy Power) and Argentina to be the top South American team (7-4 Tote Sport).
To meet Brazil in the final, Sky Bet and Tote Sport make them a 12-1 chance with an England v Argentina final available at 14s with the same firms. Other potential opponents are offered at 22-1 (Spain - Tote Sport), Holland, as in 1978 (33-1 - Tote Sport), France (33-1 - Sky Bet and Tote Sport), Italy (40-1 - Sky Bet), Germany, which would be a repeat of the 1986 and 1990 finals (50-1 - Sky Bet and Tote Sport), Ivory Coast (66-1 - Sky Bet) and Portugal (80-1 - Tote Sport).
In a group including Greece, South Korea and Nigeria, Argentina are offered at 11-2 with Sky Bet not to get beyond that stage, although they did fail to go beyond the group phase as recently as 2002. Other stage of elimination odds are 5-2 on the last 16 (Sky Bet, Tote Sport, Paddy Power) - they went out then in 1994 and if they progress will meet first or second from Group A, one of France, South Africa, Mexico or Uruguay.
The same odds are also available on the quarter-final with Paddy Power free bets (they were beaten by Germany four years ago in the last eight). The semi-final is 9-2 (Boylesports, Paddy Power, William Hill), with runners-up 9-1 (Boylesports).
Lionel Messi has struggled to hit his Barcelona heights for Argentina in qualifying, although if Maradona can build a system around him to play to his strengths then both player and team will benefit. The Argentina win/Messi to be top scorer double looks an attractive 75-1 with Sky Bet, with Sergio Aguero, another with the potential to inspire, a 100-1 shot to be top scorer alongside his country landing a third World Cup success.
Having used over 60 players in qualifying, the Argentina squad inclusion/exclusion bets should provide some food for thought. Maxi Rodriguez, who scored three times during the last World Cup, looks a decent bet at 9-5 to be included, with 2-5 offering on the Atletico Madrid winger to miss out. Expekt are also offering odds on AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Sergio Romero (4-5 yes, around 9-10 no) - a decent shout for the third goalkeeping slot - and Pablo Aimar (5-4 yes, 3-5 no) - the Benfica playmaker now back in favour with his country.
Recommendations:
Argentina to reach the last 16 - and go no further - 5-2 Sky Bet, Tote Sport, Paddy Power
Pablo Aimar to be included in the Argentina World Cup squad 9-5 Expekt
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