Argentina v Bosnia and Herzegovina World Cup 2014, 12th June Betting Preview
Will Lionel Messi finally stand up and deliver on the greatest stage of all? Argentina have a phenomenal attacking line up in their ranks, and they head into their opening Group F match as odds on favourites. This is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s World Cup debut. Can they make an impression?
Argentina v Bosnia and Herzegovina Betting Tips
Well, most punters will be eyeing up the anytime and first goalscorer markets for this one. La Albiceleste are not only blessed with the great Lionel Messi, but they also have Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain at their disposal. Messi is trading at 4/7 in the anytime goalscorer market and running as 5/2 favourite in the First Goalscorer market. The Barcelona man failed to score at the 2010 World Cup remember, but still will be the focus of Argentina’s attack. They aren’t just all about attack though, they have a very well balanced side, and squad at that. There is a lot of strength there and they have posted five clean sheets in their last five matches.
So they are running great shape at the back and are trading at a price of 11/10 to win to nil in their opener here. You can add the weight of them not having conceded in their previous two encounters with Bosnia and Herzegovina too. Argentina warmed up with wins over Slovenia and Trinidad and Tobago before heading to Brazil and they just look to be a nicely composed side. They actually played Bosnia and Herzegovina back in November of last year and took a 2-0 win. It was Sergio Aguero who netted both goals in that match. Argentina have lost just the one match since August of last year year, from nine matches played.
This will be Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first foray into the World Cup and what a tough opener they have. Fortunately for them they are still being backed to qualify from Group E, because there are only games against Iran and Nigeria to follow. So a point against Argentina would be absolutely huge for them. How will they handle the occasion? Bosnia have won seven of their last nine, the two exceptions being the loss against Argentina and defeat against Egypt in a friendly.
They have won their last four on the bounce, including wins over the Ivory Coast and Mexico, so should be carrying some decent confidence. Edin Dzeko is their star man and trading at 5/2 in the anytime goalscorer market, but they do also have good options in Vedad Ibisevic and Izet Hajrovic looked in decent nick during their warm ups too. But they have a tough task ahead of them here and the longer it stays goalless for them, then the better for them.
Argentina v Bosnia and Herzegovina Betting Odds
Argentina 2/4, Draw 4/1, Bosnia and Herzegovina 8/1
Online betting site Betfair have a big promotion running for this one, as their popular Cash Back Extra is running on it. Pick your own cashback trigger for the game, from either the Match Ending 0-0, Sergio Aguero Scoring First, Argentina Leading 3-0 at Anytime, Edin Dzeko Scoring Last or Lionel Messi scoring first. If your selected refund trigger gets auctioned, then you will get up to a free £25 refunded on the First Goalscorer, Anytime Goalscorer, Scorecast and Correct Score markets.
Argentina v Bosnia and Herzegovina Predictions
Bosnia looked pretty handy during their warm up matches, but stepping into the World Cup for the first time against one of the outright favourites is such a big ask of them. Argentina should get the job done, they certainly have the power to do so, and Sergio Aguero, given his two goals against Bonsai last November looks a good option in the goalscorer markets. Argentina are a strong side, and patient, and could see it out without conceding
