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The second choice in the betting to win the 2014 World Cup behind the host country Brazil is Argentina. They are listed at 4-1 in World Cup odds at BetPhoenix sportsbook. Argentina plays in a group that they should completely dominate as they are not likely to get a challenge from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Nigeria or Iran in Group F.
Argentina is a big favorite to win Group F as they are listed as the -450 favorite.
Lionel Messi
When you talk about Argentina you immediately start with Messi. Even though this has not been his best season, Messi is still considered one of the best players in the world. The only thing missing on the resume of Messi is success in the World Cup. Part of the problem is the system that Argentina plays. It is not really suited to Messi. Perhaps that will change this year under manager Alejandro Sabella. The pressure is on Messi as he didn’t score a single goal in the 2010 World Cup.
Argentina has a lot of scorers in addition to Messi but they are not that great on defense and goalkeeper Sergio Romero is nothing special. Can a team win simply with offense? We shall see. In addition to Messi they have Manchester City's Sergio Aguero and Napoli's Gonzalo Higuain. And not to be left out is Angel Di Maria. Argentina is going to need to score a lot of goals because Romero is not a top goalkeeper and the top defenders; Marcos Rojo and Federico Fernandez are average at best.
Argentina has won the World Cup twice, in 1978 and 1986 and they have finished second twice. All of their success came many years ago. They finished 10th in 1994, sixth in 1998, didn’t even get out of the group stage in 2002, finished sixth in 2006 and they were routed in the quarterfinals four years ago by Germany.
Schedule
15 June 2014
Argentina vs. Bosnia-Hercegovina, Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro
16 June 2014
Argentina vs. Iran, Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte
25 June 2014
Nigeria vs. Argentina, Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre
Picks
Argentina is going to win Group F. That is pretty much a given. Anything other than three wins would be a surprise. Winning it all is another story as this team simply doesn’t play enough defense or have enough in goal to win. Messi will be better but unless this team scores 3 or 4 goals per game they are not going to win the World Cup.
