International Friendly - Ireland vs Argentina betting preview

Argentina showed a huge amount of promise at the World Cup before being crushed 4-0 by a young Germany side in the quarter-finals and they face Ireland tonight in a friendly looking to pick themselves up and start the long journey to the 2014 tournament in Brazil. Ireland experienced some World Cup pain of their own, failing to qualify for the tournament after a blatant hand-ball by Thierry Henry sent France through at their expense.

The visitors are favourites for the game at 5/6 (bet £60 to win £50 profit) with Victor Chandler and William Hill, with Ireland home underdogs at 4/1 on Betfair. Victor Chandler are best rice on the draw, offering 13/5.

A 1-0 win for the visitors, who are playing for the first time under caretaker manager Sergio Batista, is the favourite score for the game at 6/1 with Extrabet and Victor Chandler, followed closely by a 1-1 draw at 13/2 with Sky Bet. The last time the sides met was also in Ireland, as far back as 1998,and Argentina ran out 2-0 winners. A repeat of that scoreline is 17/2 on Betfair, while Ireland are 11/1 with Bluesquare and 888 Sport to beat their fancied opponents 1-0.

Despite failing to score in South Africa, Ballon d`Or holder Lionel Messi is favourite to break the deadlock tonight at 9/2 with Victor Chandler, with Sky Bet offering 5/1 on Gonzalo Higuain, who scored twice in a friendly for Real Madrid in their most recent friendly against LA Galaxy. Paddy Power and Bet 365 go 6/1 on Carlos Tevez, while Robbie Keane, Ireland`s greatest scoring threat, is 17/2 with Victor Chandler.

Argentina have led at half-time and full-time in six of their last eight matches and they are 2/1 with Ladbrokes to do so again tonight. The South Americans are 4/1 on Betfair to win after drawing at half-time and Coral are best price, at 5/1, that both halves are drawn. Ireland/Ireland is as long as 17/2 on Betfair.

The 2014 World up seems to hold very different things for these two teams. The tournament will be held in Brazil and neighbouring Argentina are 6/1 joint second-favourites, along with World Champions Spain. Ireland, however, barely feature in the bookmakers considerations, with Bet 365 going 600/1.

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