Argentina vs Switzerland tips, betting, odds, preview and teams – World Cup 2014

Argentina have been tipped to win World Cup by many experts but if their group stage performance is a marker of what is to come, the South Americans still have some improving to do. Despite winning all three group games en route the Round of 16, Albiceleste have not looked impressive. They beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-1 in their first match courtesy of an own-goal and a brilliant Lionel Messi finish. They then took on Iran in their next match and struggled to get anything going. The Iranians threatened the weak Argentina backline and almost scored before Messi ended the contest in the latter stages of the game for a 1-0 win. Next up was the match against Nigeria, where they could not stop Nigeria winger Ahmed Musa from cancelling out two Lionel Messi goals. Only sloppy defending by the Africans allowed Argentina to take the win, with Marcos Rojo scoring the winning goal off his knee. Apart from the brilliant Messi, his Barcelona team mate Javier Mascherano and Real Madrid forward Angel Di Maria, Argentina have hardly played good football and Coach Alejandro Sabella will hope his team pick themselves up, starting with the Switzerland match.

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For Switzerland, Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri answered his critics in perfect fashion with a hat-trick in their final group game against Honduras. Arguably, the Argentine line of defense is not much better than that of Honduras and the diminutive forward should find the space to exploit. In defense, the Swiss looked much better with FC Basel youngster Fabian Schar playing alongside Johan Djourou at centre back, although the 22-year old had to carry his more experienced partner for much of the match against Honduras.

Switzerland are yet to beat their South American opponents in their previous six matches played with four wins for Argentina and two draws. The only time they met in the World Cup was way back in 1966 with the Argentines running out 2-0 winners. The bookmakers expect Lionel Messi and co to continue the script here with a quote of 1.50 for an Argentina win. Switzerland is pegged at a long 7.50 to cause an upset while a draw is priced at 4.40.

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With four goals in just three matches, Barcelona star Lionel Messi is Argentina’s best hope to score a goal and the former World Footballer of the Year is quoted the shortest odds to score at any time with 1.72, followed by Gonzalo Higuain with 2.50 and Ezequiel Lavezzi with 2.75- all Argentine. The Swiss player with the shortest odds to score at any time is Nuremberg striker Josip Drmic at 4.00, followed by hat-trick hero against Honduras, Xherdan Shaqiri at 4.50.

One very interesting market for this match is the Result/Both Teams to Score. It will not be a bad idea to back Argentina for a win and both teams to score with odds for this condition quoted at 3.20. Good value for money, if you ask me.

Probable Lineups

Argentina (4-3-3): Romero; Rojo, Garay, Fernandez, Zabaleta; Mascherano, Gago, Di Maria; Lavezzi, Messi, Higuain

Switzerland (4-2-3-1): Benaglio; Rodriguez, Schar, Djourou, Lichtsteiner; Inler, Behrami; Barnetta, Xhaka, Shaqiri; Seferovic

Prediction: Argentina 3 – 2 Switzerland at $26 with Bet365 – Join Now for a $200 FREE BET – Limited Offer

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