Can Lionel Messi Outscore Everyone: Early World Cup Odds

Argentina are considered to be one of the favorites of the upcoming World Cup in Brazil.

Sure, Brazil are perhaps the most preferred team when the winner of the upcoming World Cup is discussed. However, Argentina are just as good and have just as much passion to add a third title to their current collection. The fact that the two South American teams have been drawn to different sides of the pot, makes every fan and expert predict that they’ll meet in the final.

Argentina boasts an ultra-strong forward line, making them favorites not only for winning the trophy, but for scoring most goals as well. Online sportsbooks in Argentina provide the Albiceleste with a line of 5.50 win the tournament, that is second place behind 3.75 for Brazil.

The team has first won a World Cup back in 1978 when they were hosting the competition. They did it again in 1986 in Mexico, beating Germany in the final, and met them in the final again four years later in Italy, but lost this time.

The squad

Betting on Argentina at World Cup

• Argentina is second in line to win the World Cup

• Majority of online sportsbooks in Argentina are ready for betting action

• Smart bet is to wager on Argentina scoring the most goals

Sure, Lionel Messi is going, but so do Sergio Aguero, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel di Maria. Fans and punters betting under Argentinean gambling laws can expect a shower of goals from this kind of line-up. But Alejandro Sabella surprised many experts when he didn’t call upon Carlos Tevez, even though the Juventus forward found the back of the net 19 times this season.

Like any other squad, Argentina are not without problems. Defense seems to be their biggest one. Martin Demichelis haven’t been called to the team for three years, but not Sabella decided that Manchester City’s player deserves the right to defend for the team.

Defensive problems could have been seen throughout qualification campaign, when Argentina failed to keep clean sheet in most of the matches: three out of their eleven last fixtures. While they still managed to top their group, but it’s definitely something to look out for when it comes to preparations for the World Cup itself.

The World Cup draw for Argentina

Albiceleste should have no problems at the group stage. They’ve been drawn into a relatively easy one alongside Nigeria, Iran, and Bosnia & Herzegovina. The wager on them topping the group is a pretty safe one, but the odds are also small – 1.28. Reaching the semi-final could also be very much possible for the team, and those who bet on sports in Argentina can win at 1.90 in case this happens.

In case they reach the final, the bookies will pay up at 3.00, which seems like a nice wager to take at a pretty decent payout. Perhaps the best possible betting offer on Argentina is for them becoming the top-scoring team of the competition: 4.50. Considering the line-up and the quality of their opponents, there could be a couple of high-scoring games in store for them.

Other interesting betting offers

A combo line of Argentina winning and Messi becoming the top goalscorer is valued at 17.00 odds, not a bad offer if you ask me. Argentina winning and Cristiano Ronaldo snatching the golden boot will pay at 67.00 odds which is an interesting punt to consider, since Ronaldo-Messi rivalry could make its way to South America as well.

Brazil and Argentina in the final, a scenario most experts anticipate, pays at 11.00, pretty high considering the possibility of it happening is really high too. Argentina – Germany final pays at 15.00, while France making company to Albiceleste offers a 34.00 payout.

Naturally, Messi is the favorite to score the most goals for Argentina with 2.37 odds. Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero are next with 4.50 odds each, followed by Ezequiel Lavezzi at 15.00.