2010 World Cup: Bet On Argentina To Beat Nigeria

Two-time FIFA World Cup winners Argentina are among the top teams expected to go deep in the 2010 World Cup, and perhaps even win it. Undoubtedly, there is a lot of scoring talent in Argentina with the likes of 2009 FIFPro Player of the Year and Barcelona top scorer Lionel Messi, Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez, Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain and Inter Milan striker Diego Milito. Argentina also has a talented midfield with the likes of Javier Mascherano, Maxi Rodriguez and Juan Sebastian Veron. Certainly, these big names for Argentina make them favorites to win against Nigeria.

However, the point spread given by oddsmakers is +2.5 for Nigeria, which means that Argentina would have to win by three goals. That's a tough feat considering it's the World Cup, and Nigeria will certainly have somewhat of a homecourt advantage with the match being played in African soil under the African weather. A straight $100 moneyline bet on Argentina to win outright would win $40, giving a 40% profit. Doesn't sound too exciting, but the investment is better than a bank's interest on a good day.

Predicting the final score of the World Cup match between Argentina vs Nigeria could land more possibilities. Betting on Argentina to win 1-0 over Nigeria could turn your $100 into a $400 profit. Betting on a final result of 2-0 favoring Argentina could profit $500, while betting on a 2-1 result favoring Argentina could profit $700. Betting on those three options could give you the following results. One, if you guess incorrectly, you risk to lose $300. If you hit the least profitable, and profit $400, then you're up $100 for a 30% ROI on $300. If you hit the bigger one, then you stand to profit $400. and more than double-up.

Of course, that's only if you're certain that Argentina will win. Nigeria has the talent to steal it from Argentina with the likes of Obafemi Martins of Wolfsburg, John Utaka of Portsmouth, Mikel John Obi of Chelsea, Kanu of Portsmouth and Peter Odemwingie of Lokomotiv Moscow very capable of some great football. An outright bet on Nigeria to win over Argentina could give you 8-to-1 on your money with a profit of $700 for a $100 bet. That sounds juicy, but to be honest I'd rather put $300 on Argentina to win outright, and book the win with a profit of $120, earning 40% for my sports betting investment. And maybe try a three-option bet on the best odds of the final score.