| Outright Odds: 9/1 | | | | an abundance of talent with Hernan Crespo, Carlos |
| Group C Winners: 5/4 | | | | Tevez, Luciano Figueroa, Javier Saviola and teen |
| Following a dismal World Cup four years ago which | | | | sensation Lionel Messi all fighting for a place. |
| saw first round elimination, Argentina will look to make | | | | Such is the abundance of available players in midfield, |
| a serious impact at this year's finals. Again, they enter | | | | Pekerman can even afford to drop Juan Sebastian |
| as one of the favourites to win the tournament but | | | | Veron without any serious ramifications. Juan Roman |
| there are still doubts as to whether they can compete | | | | Riquelme, at his peak at 28 years old in Germany, |
| with great rivals Brazil when it really matters. | | | | looks set to take over Veron's mantle after a |
| Argentina were the first side to qualify from the pool | | | | sensational qualifying campaign. Supported by Juan |
| of South American teams vying for a place in | | | | Pablo Sorin and veteran Javier Zanetti down the |
| Germany, although a defeat to Uruguay in the final | | | | flanks, Argentina could be devastating in attack if they |
| match saw them finish second on goal difference to | | | | are in the mood. |
| Brazil. Argentina managed to beat Brazil 3-1 at home | | | | However, that could be their downfall. Despite a rich |
| but lost by the same score earlier on in qualifying. | | | | selection of midfield and attacking talent, the side is still |
| However, a single win against the Brazilians does not | | | | over-reliant on Riquelme who has a tendency to blow |
| cover up the fact they were beaten in consecutive | | | | hot and cold. It can also be argued whether or not |
| summers in the Copa America and were soundly | | | | Pekerman has found an ideal starting line-up. |
| thrashed 4-1 in last year's Confederations Cup. They | | | | Pekerman has a magnificent record at developing |
| are a side with plenty to prove if they are to emerge | | | | young players and has enjoyed success with |
| from the shadow of their more successful South | | | | Argentina by winning World Youth Cups in 1995, 1997 |
| America neighbours. | | | | and 2001. He has made progress with the senior side |
| Manager Jose Pekerman, a former taxi-driver after his | | | | but can he take it one step further and win Argentina's |
| own playing career finished, has made plenty of | | | | first trophy in 12 years? |
| changes following old boss Marcelo Bielsa's departure | | | | Recommended Bet: |
| and has slowly introduced new faces to replace the | | | | Despite an obvious abundance of attacking talent and |
| dismal failures of 2002. | | | | strength in depth, Argentina are like to fall short again |
| Argentina, while they do not possess a Ronaldo or | | | | when it really matters. They should improve on their |
| Ronaldinho, have an extraordinary strength in depth to | | | | last World Cup campaign and qualify from the group |
| make most opposition sick with envy. In attack there is | | | | stage. |