World Cup 2010 betting - Argentina vs Nigeria betting preview

Diego Maradona`s Argentina side play their first game of the World Cup today as they face Nigeria in group B at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg. Unquestionably one of the most gifted sides in the competition on paper, the South Americans have been heavily supported from as long as 14/1 to a best-priced 7/1 with Coral.

However, qualification was not easy for the third favourites, who at one point faced missing out on the tournament, with the low point being a 6-0 defeat to Bolivia. Their fans will hope they have fully recovered from this and they do go into the tournament in good form on the back of five straight wins.

Argentina are favourites to win today at 1/2 (bet £20 to win £10 profit), leaving Nigeria as underdogs at 15/2 with Coral, with the draw at 7/2 with Betfred.

The bookmakers seem to think Argentina should win comfortably today and 2-0 is the favourite score for the game at 6/1, closely followed by 1-0 at 13/2. The same firm are best price on a 1-1 draw, offering 17/2, and a surprise 1-0 win for Nigeria is 22/1 with Bet365.

The shining jewel in the crown of Argentina is World Player of the year Lionel Messi. Messi lit up Europe this season with a series of dazzling performances and he is favourite to open the scoring today at 4/1 with Sky Bet. He is followed by the prolific Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain, at 5/1 with Stan James.

Nigerian strikers Yakubu and Obafemi Martins are both available at 12/1 to break the deadlock in today`s game. Both will be known to followers of the Premier League, where Yakubu plays for Everton and Martins formerly played for Newcastle.

Argentina are 11/8 to lead today at both half-time and full-time and 7/2 with Ladbrokes to win the match after drawing at the interval. The bookmakers offer 4/1 that both halves end in a draw and Nigeria are 16/1 generally to provide a shock by getting in front before the interval and staying there until the final whistle.

Spain are favourites to win the World Cup at 4/1 but Messi and co. are not far behind as a flurry of late money has pushed their price into only 7/1.

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