World Cup Group C

World Cup Betting Show host Ali Maxwell set the scene for Argentina’s expected dominance in Group C, highlighting that they are unbeaten in 35 matches. They were also ahead at half-time in 12 of their 17 qualifiers for the tournament which suggests they have no problem starting games strongly.

 

Raj Chohan said: “Before it was all about the attacking flair, but now from back to front they look very good. Martinez is great as a shot-stopper, Romero has done really well at Spurs and they have a real workaholic midfielder in Guido Rodriguez of Real Betis.”

Mark O’Haire added: “They were a shambles four years ago and Lionel Scaloni obviously recognised what needed to be done. They're not the most star-studded Argentina squad but they are the most unified and cohesive.”

The outsiders in the group are Saudi Arabia, but should we write them off?

 

Steven McInerney said: “Saudi Arabia have a two-time AFCON winning coach in Hervé Renard, including one with Zambia. His experience at international level just makes them 10 times more credible. Of the other two, I feel like Poland have a stronger shout than Mexico.”

Chohan agreed, explaining: “It's a big blow for Mexico to lose Jesus Corona and Raul Jimenez isn't the same player so I'm not sure they've got the firepower. Poland, by contrast, have Robert Lewandowski (50/1 for the Golden Boot), Arek Milik and Piotr Zieliński - a key man in Napoli's rise this season under Spalletti. I fancy them to have a bit more in the final third than Mexico and take that second spot.”

“I’m definitely not having Mexico to qualify at 7/10,” said O’Haire. “Poland's strength is in attacking areas, whereas defensively they can be got at.

"However, Mexico’s top scorer in qualifying was Jimenez with three – all of them penalties. There's a mutinous feel around the group, they want Tata Martino out and they'd be lucky to get through.”

O'Haire added that Argentina to score the most goals in the group might be a short price, but it feels like a bit of a 'gimme' given the strength of their opposition.