Preview: Argentina vs. Mexico

THE BIG PICTURE
Two exciting teams face each other, with one quarter-final place the prize for the victor. Despite all the pre-tournament Diego Maradona mockery, his Argentina has looked like the real deal so far. The real Leo Messi has shown up, and is backed by a host of other in-form attackers, the majority of whom Maradona has somehow accommodated into one starting XI. They can’t all play though, and Maradona may have to choose between players like Seba Veron and Maxi Rodriguez to start against Mexico. More at the Argentina blog.

The selections of Mexico coach Javier Aguirre are even more intriguing. Most want to see him start young Javier Hernandez (aka Chicharito) instead of older attackers like Cuauhtémoc Blanco and Guillermo Franco. Mexican fans (and neutral bloggers) were also confused at Aguirre’s decision not to start Andrés Guardado in the early group games. More at the Mexico blog.

WHAT’S AT STAKE
This is a rematch of the 2006 Round of 16 game, which Mexico led after six minutes, but Argentina won in extra time with a beautiful Maxi Rodriguez goal. That was Mexico’s fourth consecutive World Cup Round of 16 exit, so it’s really about time they went one further. A fifth consecutive Round of 16 effort would be a bit too Groundhog Day for Mexico fans, who haven’t seen El Tri in a World Cup quarter-final since Mexico hosted the World Cup in 1986.

Argentina look like genuine contenders for the World Cup, and will expect to advance to the quarter-finals. But they maybe had things a little too easy in Group B, and Mexico’s attacking talents (looking at you Gio dos Santos) should provide the sort of threat that will really test them. Leo Messi has been superb, but is yet to score. If he can find the net himself in this game, then the rest of the tournament can start trembling with fear.

Bet on Argentina vs. Mexico

Argentina v Mexico

Full Time Result

	Best Odds	Bookie
Argentina	1.62
Draw	4.00
Mexico	7.00

Total Goals

	Best Odds	Bookie
Under 2.5	1.77
Over 2.5	2.16

Anytime Goalscorer

	Best Odds	Bookie
Leo Messi	2.00
Gonzalo Higuain	2.30
Carlos Tevez	2.75
Sergio Aguero	2.80

Argentina v Mexico

Full Time Result

	Best Odds	Bookie
Argentina	1.62
Draw	4.00
Mexico	7.00

Total Goals

	Best Odds	Bookie
Under 2.5	1.77
Over 2.5	2.16

Anytime Goalscorer

	Best Odds	Bookie
Leo Messi	2.00
Gonzalo Higuain	2.30
Carlos Tevez	2.75
Sergio Aguero	2.80

OUR PREDICTION
It’s inconceivable for Leo Messi not to score at World Cup 2010, inexplicable how he hasn’t so far. So I predict another 2-1 for Argentina, with Messi claiming both goals.