Argentina and Chile face up at El Monumental this evening as the qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil gets underway.
The home side are favourites to win the match at 4/9 with William Hill, which is unsurprising given that Alejandro Sabella’s side are seen as one of the main threats to Brazil in three year’s time. A draw would be a frustrating result for home fans, and can be backed at 7/2 with Ladbrokes . Finally a shock win for Chile is a 7/1 chance with Paddy Power and Sportingbet .
Argentina have been through five coaches in five years, a time period which includes two major disappointments in World Cups. The pressure will be on them to win comfortably tonight in order to get qualifying off to the best possible start. For a generation of players blessed with talent, including the likes of Lionel Messi and Javier Pastore, 2014 is their date with destiny in neighboring Brazil.
Chile are no pushovers, as they proved last month against champions Spain in a friendly, leading for over half the match. However Chile have only beaten Argentina six times in 82 matches, and will have a tough task on their hands tonight without both star player Alexis Sanchez and Gary Medel.
In the correct score betting, Stan James have 1-0 and 2-0 wins for the home side both at 5/1. 2-1 to Argentina is 15/2 with William Hill, whilst 3-0 is also fairly short in the betting at 8/1 with Ladbrokes . Punters having a play on the stalemate may consider 1-1 at 8/1 with Coral , but a 0-0 bore draw looks fairly easy to rule out between two attacking sides at 12/1 with bet365 . Chile’s best chance of winning the game is 1-0, which can be backed at an industry-high of 20/1 with Coral .
With Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain both starting the match, the first goalscorer market looks a fairly easy one to work out. Captain Messi heads the betting at a tempting 5/2 with bet365 , ahead of compatriot Higuain who is out to 9/2 with the same firm. Di Maria is another for the shortlist at 15/2, and Pastore would be of interest at 11/1 if he starts, given his brilliant club form with PSG. Chile fans will be looking towards Humberto Suazo for goals, who is into 9/1 with bet365 . It is worth noting that bet365 will refund losing first goalscorer bets if the match finishes 0-0.
A popular bet will be Argentina to be leading at both half-time and full-time, which can be backed at 6/5 with bet365 . Draw/Argentina is the next choice at 7/2 with Ladbrokes , whilst Chile/Argentina may appeal to some at 28/1 with totesport .
Over 2.5 goals is 8/11 with William Hill and Messi can be backed to score two or more goals in the match at 3/1 with bet365 .
Argentina are the second-favourites to win the 2014 World Cup at 13/2 with Coral , whilst Chile are on offer at 50/1 with Skybet . It is 6/5 with the same firm that the winner is a South American side.
The match kicks off at 8.10pm local time on Friday 7 October. UK punters can watch the match live on bet365 ’s excellent streaming service.
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