World Cup 2014 betting: Argentina odds to win Group F, predictions

Argentina has the second best overall odds to win the World Cup and they are the big betting favorite to win their group.

They are one of the best attacking teams in the tournament, but they have so much individual talent that they sometimes do not play well as a team.

That downfall is one of the main reasons they have not advanced past the quarterfinals since the 1990 World Cup.

Argentina won the tough South American qualifying group and they are in Group F this summer along with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran and Nigeria.

Argentina Odds to win World Cup 2014: +450
Argentina Odds to win Group F: -450

While Argentina has a great attack the defense and the lack of team play are the main weaknesses of the squad. When they need a goal they tend to let Lionel Messi play as an individual talent and while he may be THE best striker in the world he cannot do it all himself. (see Golden Boot odds, where Messi and Brazil's Neymar lead the betting race)

The squad has been up and down in World Cup tune ups, as they beat the Brazil bound squads of Italy and Bosnia-Herzegovina, but played to draws facing Ecuador and Romania.

World Cup Prediction for Argentina

Their toughest group match will be facing Bosnia-Herzegovina, but they will beat them just like they did in a friendly last year. Iran is their next match and, while they have a good defense, they are vastly overmatched on the pitch and Argentina should win easily.

They will pick up another three points facing a Nigeria team that has a solid midfield, but issues on defense.

If the favorites play out this summer, Argentina does not have an easy road to the finals with possible match ups with Belgium in the quarterfinals and Spain the semifinals. They will get to the semis, but Spain will beat them with their solid midfield play.

How Argentina got to the World Cup

Argentina finished first in CONMEBOL qualifying with 32 points and it helped that Brazil was not in the group since they automatically qualified as the host. Their lone loss in World Cup qualifying was against Uruguay in their last match, but they already had first place wrapped up.

Overall, their qualifying record was five wins, one loss, and four draws. Their offense was on fire at the end of qualifying with 10 goals in their last three matches.

World Cup Qualifying Results

12/09/12 Peru 1 - 1 Argentina

13/10/12 Argentina 3 - 0 Uruguay

17/10/12 Chile 1 - 2 Argentina

23/03/13 Argentina 3 - 0 Venezuela

26/03/13 Bolivia 1 - 1 Argentina

08/06/13 Argentina 0 - 0 Colombia

11/06/13 Ecuador 1 - 1 Argentina

11/09/13 Paraguay 2 - 5 Argentina

12/10/13 Argentina 3 - 1 Peru

16/10/13 Uruguay 3 - 2 Argentina

World Cup Group Play Schedule

16/06/14 Argentina vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina - Estadio do Maracana

21/06/14 Argentina vs. Iran - Estadio Mineirao

25/06/14 Nigeria vs. Argentina - Estadio Beira-Rio

Team Key Players

Lionel Messi FW Barcelona - Maybe the best striker in the world and while he has all the individual and team awards, World Cup glory has eluded him.

Sergio Aguero FW Manchester City - Another solid attacker that had a fantastic Premier League season before being injured for most of the second half. Is healthy and will team up with Messi up front.

Gonzalo Higuain FW Napoli - Yet another great attacker for the squad.