Brazil vs Argentina Odds - Messi lights up the Brazilians

When it comes to soccer betting favorites, Brazil and Argentina are two of the teams that instantly come to mind. The South American giants clash this weekend, and while the Brazilians are cruising through the group stages, the Argentines need one of their stars to step up and lead the way, and their prayers will be answered by, arguably, the world’s best player.

Brazil vs Argentina Odds: Brazil (+210); Argentina (+110); Draw (+220)

• WHAT: World Cup betting action
  
• WHEN: Saturday, September 5, 8:30 PM ET
  
• WHERE: Estadio Gigante de Arroyito, Rosario, Argentina
  
• KEY STAT: Argentina drew 0-0 at Brazil last June
  
• PICK: Argentina

Brazil vs Argentina Odds: The Storyline
There’s never a need for motivation when these powers meet, and they have seven World Cups between them. Argentina needs this more than Brazil, who are atop the South American group with 27 points. Argentina is holding onto the final qualification spot, two points ahead of Ecuador, who they lost to in their last match.

Betting Edge: Argentina

Brazil vs Argentina Odds maker breakdown: Offense
You’re talking about two of the great attacking teams in the world here. Brazil leads the group with 25 goals, with seven coming from Luis Fabiano, and another five from 2007 World Player of the Year Kaka. However, they left some high-profile players at home, such as Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato, as well as Diego. Argentina is bringing out all the big guns, like Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero, but they would love to have Juan Roman Riquelme in the team. The playmaker retired in March because he couldn’t work with coach Diego Maradona.

Betting Edge: Argentina

Brazil vs Argentina Odds maker breakdown: Defense
Brazil has been surprisingly stout at the back, allowing only six goals in their 14 matches. Defenders Maicon, captain Lucio and defensive midfielder Gilberto Silva have played in at least 11 games, while keeper Julio Cesar is one of two players to play in all 14 games. Argentina has given up 15 goals as Maradona tinkers with different players, and the lack of continuity at the back is a major detriment to their online betting odds.

Betting Edge: Brazil

Brazil vs Argentina Odds maker breakdown: Coaching
Brazil’s Dunga and Argentina’s Maradona are very familiar with each other, as they played against each other in the 1990 World Cup, and they were both captains of World Cup-winning squads (Dunga in ’94, Maradona in ’86). Neither had much coaching experience before this, but Dunga has been leading the team since 2006, while Maradona just started in November of last year, with mixed results.

Betting Edge: Brazil

Brazil vs Argentina Odds maker breakdown: Notable Injuries
For Brazil, midfielder Kleberson and goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes will miss this match. On the Argentine side, forward Diego Milito, midfielder Sebastian Battaglia and defender Nicolas Burdisso are all in the side, but they’re limping. However, neither team’s offshore sportsbook odds are greatly affected.

Betting Edge: Draw

Brazil vs Argentina betting breakdown: Outlook and Pick
Before their 0-0 draw back in June 2008, but two months later, Argentina laid a 3-0 beatdown on the Brazilians in the Beijing Olympics, and although Aguero scored two goals, Messi was at the heart of most of Argentina’s good moves. He sat out Barca’s La Liga opener against Sporting Gijon on Monday, but he was the key to Barca’s 1-0 extra-time win over Shakhtar Donetsk, threatening with every touch of the ball. With no Riquelme in the side, it’s on him to be the playmaker as well as score goals, and he’s money in big games. This could be as big as his Champions League win with Barca in June.

TODD’S PICK: Argentina

For more sports betting tips and picks on the road to South Africa 2010, visit Todd in the Betting Edge at betonline.com.

Are you a fan of “The Beautiful Game”? Then you should try Todd Shale's “Beautiful Picks”. Though he enjoys a good rugby match, Todd is happiest when he can handicap a great soccer match - or football match, as he prefers to call it. Thoughts or questions?