Argentina v Nigeria

Argentina are looking to win their third World Cup but after a troubled qualifying campaign under the management of Argentina legend Diego Maradona many pundits have already written off their chances despite a dazzling array of talent.

Nigeria meanwhile will be looking to prove that an African side is capable of winning the World Cup by beating one of the early favourites.

Argentina v Nigeria Match Odds

Betting on the result of each match is usually the most popular market, Argentina are of course the favourites but it is not as clear cut as many might think.

BACK ARGENTINA TO BEAT NIGERIA

Argentina struggled to qualification and for a long time it looked as though the World Cup 2010 might not even feature Diego Maradona's men but they finished well with a good 1-0 win over Uruguay and with players like Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi it is hard to see them not beating Nigeria, although the Africans still have to be respected.

Argentina v Nigeria Asian Handicap Odds

Asian Handicap is available on all games and offers slight variation on match betting, one team is usually given a lead to level the playing field and make it a more even contest and betting heat.

BACK NIGERIA + 1.25

Nigeria seem to have been handed a generous handicap given that Argentina are not expected to be at their best under Diego Maradona. Argentina are likely to win the game but only very narrowly so more than a goal advantage should be enough to see Nigeria be victorious in the Asian Handicap.

Argentina v Nigeria Goals Odds

A look at how many goals are likely to go in and the best bets surrounding those goals.

Argentina Recent Competitive Results

Nigeria Recent Competitive Results

BACK 2-1 ARGENTINA AND OVER 2.5 GOALS

Neither side are massive scorers, Argentina managed just five goals in their final six games in qualifying whilst Nigeria scored nine in six but against much weaker opposition that what Argentina faced. Both sides normally score or concede one or two goals and that is likely to lead to a 2-1 scoreline, we think that it will favour Argentina as they have by far the better players. The game should also reward over 2.5 goals backers but it should be close.

Argentina v Nigeria Player Betting

A look at all the best bets that involve the players from Argentina and Nigeria, the most popular of which are the goalscorer odds.

Argentina v Nigeria Team News

Argentina are expected to field stars such as Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain but coach Diego Maradona is used to shocking many with his team selections so there could be a few shocks. Nigeria will be hoping their goalscorer Ikechukwu Uche make it to the game fit and sound.

BACK SERGIA AGUERO TO SCORE FIRST AGAINST NIGERIA

With Argentina likely to get more goals than Nigeria it should pay to back an Argentina player to score the first goal. Only three Argentina players scored more than one goal in qualifying and one of those is not in the final squad so it should pay to concentrate on Lionel Messi and Sergia Aguero. Lionel Messi is often underpriced in the goalscoring odds now as he has had such a good season so the value bet has to be Aguero who played six games less than Messi in qualifying but still scored four goals, the same amount as Messi.

Argentina v Nigeria Half Time Odds

The half time betting markets allow you to bet on what the result will be at half time, either on its own or together with the full time result. This can help to maximise profit from a game when you have studied the form carefully.

BACK DRAW / ARGENTINA IN THE HALF TIME / FULL TIME BETTING

Most recent competitive form is normally the most worthwhile and in each team's last six games, four were draws at half time. This looks a strong stat and given we thing the game will finish 2-1, it means there is a good chance the half time score could be either 0-0 or 1-1 and that bet can still come in. Argentina are fancied to come out on top by the end of the second half, especially as three of the four goals Nigeria conceded in their last six qualifying games were conceded in their second half.

Argentina v Nigeria Best Bet

The strongest bet based on stats has to be Draw / Argentina due to the fact that two thirds of the recent games for both sides have been draws at half times. Also the fact that Nigeria concede three quarters of their recent competitve goals in the second half and it seems quite likely that Argentina can take the upper hand in the second half.