I TIPPED Argentina to win the World Cup at the start of the tournament but they've not impressed me – but then neither have Brazil who I backed to reach the Final but they're 90 minutes away.
Lionel Messi's four goals guided Argentina through the group stage then a moment of magic set up Angel di Maria to hit an extra-time winner against Switzerland in the last 16.
However, the South Americans were there for the taking and with more belief and quality up top the Swiss could have caused a seismic shock.
Belgian may lack famous people but not belief or quality in the final third and have the ability to hurt an Argentina defence that even allowed Iran and Nigeria chances. So I'm taking a huge gamble on Belgium but accept – like most of the knockout ties – it could go either way and possibly all the way to penalties.
And of course Friday's quarter-finals went the way of the favourites and big guns against one side (Colombia) who basically couldn't handle the occasion until it was too late and another (France) who just didn't turn up. So a youngish Belgium outfit have to first and foremost handle the occasion.
Belgium are 14-5 at Ladbrokes to win in 90 minutes and 13-8 at Betfred and bet365 to qualify. They're such big underdogs I'm willing to gamble on Marc Wilmots's side not to lose at 3-4 with Coral.
Argentina are just 1-2 with the likes of Betfred and bet365 to qualify and 6-5 at McBookie to win in 90 minutes.
Both countries have won their four games by one goal (including extra time) and according to easyodds Betway go 4-5 on either side by triumphing by one and that could be a popular bet in what should be a close contest.
Belgium's six goals in Brazil have all been scored in the 70th minute or later. A strike after the 70th minute is 5-6 through easyodds at bet365.
Like the last-16 ties it will probably be tight before sparking to life but of course Messi could work his magic at any time.
The Barcelona star hasn't even been at his best but team-mates Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero and di Maria have just about gone missing. So if you fancy an Argentina first scorer it's obvious to look at Messi at 7-2 with McBookie and Ladbrokes and he is 21-10 at bet365 to net at any time.
Alejandro Sabella's side have kept two clean sheets despite looking dodgy at the back and that's been down to Javier Mascherano who has shielded the back four well.
His work will be cut out against Belgian runners such as Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne and Kevin Mirallas while Romelu Lukaku may be asked to make an impact off the bench as he did against USA.
Belgian haven't fired on all cylinders either but have better options and Wilmots has used his subs well. Hazard is due a goal and he'll be keen to outshine fellow No.10 Messi.
He is 11-1 at Ladbrokes to break the deadlock and 7-2 with bet365 and Paddy Power to net at any time.
Divock Orirgi led the line on his own against USA and did it well until Lukaku arrived. He is likely to keep his spot and is 8-1 at Paddy Power and bet365 to score first.
Only Holland v Mexico went over 2.5 goals in 90 minutes in the last 16 and this could be another unders affair. Under 2.5 goals is 3-5 at bet365 and under 1.5 goals pays 2-1 at William Hill.
You can't write off another no scorer at 11-1 with Stan James while Paddy Power go 13-8 on it being 0-0 at half-time and that looks a shout.
After three defenders scored the first three goals in Friday's quarter-finals I have to mention one big-priced scorer (Chris Guy style) and Argentina's Ezequiel Garay is 40-1 at Ladbrokes to score first and 17-1 at Stan James to net at any time.
Recommended Bets
Belgium to qualify
(13-8, Betfred, bet365)
Half-time 0-0
(13-8, Paddy Power)
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I agree belgium have a great squad. But they haven’t got real opposition yet. Easy group and then usa, who gave them lots and lots of space. I think messi circles around van buyten.
Belgium are in the same position as columbia n france.argies to qualify for me
People hype Belgium up because alot of their squad play in prem.
Rick, I’m not hyping Belgium up at all. Just saying Argentina are there for the taking. The problem is there isn’t an outstanding team in the tournament so anyone can beat anyone really. I heard a commentator saying if Brazil win the World Cup they’ll be the worse team to do so and he’s not wrong.
For all of us who have 7/1 13/2 and other prices on Germany outright it is time to lay because the refs will not allow Brazil to lose ,once again dreadful decisions Columbia kicked from pillar to post especially James and the keeper allowed to stay on CASH OUT NOW!
Duncan, I think that’s an over-reaction. Sure, Brazil got some decisions but they were the better team tonight and deserved to win. There will come a time when refs can’t help Brazil enough – and it could be the semi-final. Remember Brazil will now been involved until the second last day (third-place match at worst) and the biggest fear was they’d suffer an early exit which can’t happen now.
Also think Belgium will Qualify.
I’m not refering to you as ‘people’ mr f.possibly germany and brazil were there for the taking.i reckon belgium have looked worse than argies
Rick, did you see Argentina against Iran and Nigeria – they were terrible? And not much better against the Swiss. Belgium haven’t hit the heights either but seem to have more options. Anyway it could go either way – look at how tight the first two quarter-finals were and 7 of the 8 last-16 games.
Not gonna lie Mr F I’m glad your tips for QFs haven’t came in so far, as I had Gerries to qualify and Brazil 90mins…but I do agree with your chat about Belguim. An Argies and Holland to qualify completes a fourfold for me…but I will be defo covering on Belgium to quailfy since its such a big price, would be daft not to.
If I land this fourfold it would be the 4th fourfold of the tourney for me…more than my sing!es and doubles bet success rates! Bizzare! But I guess that’s the kinda WC its been so far!
Good luck tomo troops!
Personally think way it’s going we are lined up for an undeserved final of Brazil v Argentina but at that price with Belgium to qualify it’s Definately worth small stake bet.
Got to disagree with the worst team to win a World Cup comment, ok if Brazil were to win it it’s because they have beaten everyone that’s been put in front of them, that is fact.
Granted it’s not been the fast flowing excitement that everyone expects them to play, playing the better football doesn’t always get you the results, take Columbia for example, great to watch, etc when it’s time to step up to the plate, yeh you guessed it bottle crashed, I for one think the Argies and Germans are worse teams to watch and after watching Holland I would like to see them go on and do it and after seeing the other big guns in action I don’t think they should hold any fear.
It’s been a good World Cup for goals and reasonable contravesary an I have thoroughly enjoyed it, however at this stage I think teams are more reliant on the other making a mistake to gain the advantage, set pieces or a piece of brilliance being the more probable course to goal, then you have a Belgium USA extra time type of excitement which for me has been the most enjoyable 15 mins of the World Cup so far.
Argentina to win and Messi to score 2/1
Holland 2 Costa Rica 0 13/2
Couldn’t agree more but that’s been our fine before
Soon as Belgium and Argentinas last games concluded this looked the value of the round
I’m on a double Belgium 5/6 not to lose in 90mins (changed from to qualify) and double it up with holland
Paul or anyone else know if Sergio augero playing tonight??
Aguero is back in training but unlikely to start. Most prob only making the bench.
“He’s doing pretty well,” said Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella.
“We’ll see how he responds today (Friday) and then see if he’s able to be a member of the 23 on the bench.”
I personally fancy Holland -1 today, think Belgium will take care of Argentina in 90 mins
Brazil haven’t been the best team at this World Cup and in my eyes don’t deserve to win it. They deserved to qualify last night against a Colombia team who lets be fair didn’t turn up. With Neymar and Thiago Silva out for the semi is bad news for Brazil. Germany will be making their way to the final. It has been touched on though. Brazil are getting the benefit of some poor refereeing decisions. The only ref who had the balls to make decisions against Brazil was Howard Webb and I’m hoping they appoint a simlarily strong referee who will be strong enough to make the right decisions. Fernandinho’s tackling was a joke last night.
Belgium to qualify. Argentina don’t look as much a problem without him. I just put another 100 pounds on double chance Belgium. Once Argentina sit back there defence won’t cope with the Belgians pressure