Nigeria v Argentina World Cup 2014, 25th June Betting Preview
Both of these are still in contention to book a spot in the round of sixteen. A draw would suit both of these perfectly as it would be enough for Argentina to secure top spot, while Nigeria would follow them through with a point also. However, the Africans could still steal top spot if they come out and post a victory.
Nigeria v Argentina Betting Tips
As long as Iran don’t beat Bosnia in the other group match on Wednesday, then Nigeria would be through. They need a point to guarantee top spot. They opened with a really frustrating 0-0 draw against Iran, and that was their fourth draw in their last six matches. It was also their ninth World Cup match in a row in which they had failed to post a win. But then the Super Eagles managed to pull something out of their hat, going as underdogs against Bosnia in what was pretty much the battle for second place in Group F, winning 1-0 thanks to a fantastic strike by Peter Odemwingie.
The two sides have played three times before at the World Cup and the Argentineans have won all of them. From six meetings in total, Nigeria have only managed to pick up one victory over the Albiceleste. Nigeria have further weight against them, as they have not beaten a South American side at the World Cup in their previous four attempts. The win by the Super Eagles over Bosnia in their last match, snapped a run of nine matches without a World Cup win (D3 L6), so it really was a bit of an upset. They are now 221 World Cup minutes without conceding a goal, so given the pattern of Argentina’s games so far, they may have enough to frustrate the South Americans and force the game under 2.5 goals.
Largely thanks to Lionel Messi, Argentina have now won their last four matches on the bounce, but the victories at the World Cup so far haven’t been convincing. They took a battling 2-1 win over Bosnia in their opener thanks to a special goal by Lionel Messi and then they looked to have been held to a 0-0 draw against Iran until Messi popped up with another brilliant goal. Argentina just don’t look to have a Plan B. Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain have been very poor and even when they got out wide and threw balls into the box against Iran, there was no-one in there. Argentina have only scored eight goals in six previous matches against Nigeria, an average of 1.3 per game.
The Albiceleste don’t look to be in a lot of danger of losing this one, as they have lost just the one of their last 14 World Cup matches and in that sequence they have conceded just the five goals. Lionel Messi has finally turned up for a World Cup, which is great and he is 4/5 favourite in the anytime goalscorer market. They need him clearly and he has scored eight in his last seven appearances for Argentina.
Nigeria v Argentina Betting Odds
Argentina 1/2, Draw 3/1, Nigeria 7/1
Place a first goalscorer, anytime goalscorer, scorecast and correct score bet at Betfair and if the refund trigger which you select for the game gets activated, then you will get losing stakes on those markets refunded. Yes, you pick the trigger from the match ending 0-0, Lionel Messi scoring first, Sergio Aguero scoring first, the first goal being a header or Lionel Messi scoring two or more in the match.
Nigeria v Argentina Predictions
Would expect this to be a little bit flat. Both would be happy enough to coast to the next round by settling for a draw, even though Nigeria could still take spot with a victory. Given the history between the two sides, it’s unlikely to happen though and the South Americans are more likely to get the victory on the board. Would just back them in the outright market.
