It appears that bookmakers and punters alike have forgotten how much difficulty Argentina had when it came to qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. The Albiceleste are third favourites on the outright market and this must surely be down to the fact that the squad is studded with brilliant strikers, most of whom will be warming the bench.

Indeed, don’t expect Diego Maradona to line up with a crazy attacking formation, with a more conservative gameplan likely to be adopted which will see Juan Sebastian Veron and Javier Mascherano sit in front of the defence. While it’s clear that Lionel Messi is the world’s best player, he is only likely to have Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria in support, with the team’s first priority to stifle the opposition.

The injury to Jon Obi Mikel is particularly harsh on Nigeria, who finished a creditable third in the African Cup of Nations. Lars Lagerback has barely had time to work with his new team and they might struggle to find a way past Walter Samuel and Martin Demichelis.

PREDICTION: ARGENTINA TO WIN 1-0 OR 2-0 (AVAILABLE AT ODDS 7.0 & 6.5 WITH LADBROKES)