JAMES RODRIGUEZ is being branded the new Lionel Messi – but the Argentine star is determined to show he's far from finished.
Messi arrived in Brazil with doubts hanging over his halo after Cristiano Ronaldo snatched his World Player of the Year crown and Barcelona won nothing.
Five goals from No.10 Rodriguez have crashed Colombia into the last eight and made him favourite to win Player of the Tournament.
But Messi isn't going away and I'm looking for him to add to his three-goal tally tonight after tipping him to top-score at 8-1 on the anteposts.
I also backed Argentina to win but Messi and Angel di Maria apart they've not impressed and need to improve against Switzerland or face an untimely exit.
The South Americans are no bigger than 1-2 with the likes of McBookie and William Hill and that's poor odds for a clash against a side ranked six in the world.
Switzerland saved their best show for last by beating Honduras 3-0 and are 7-1 at Coral to win with McBookie going 7-2 the draw.
Alejandro Sabella's defence has looked exposed at times and best bet could be both to score at 37-40 with BetVictor.
My feeling is Argentina will edge it, possibly 2-1, and they are 12-5 with Coral on the match result and both to score market.
Argentina have needed a moment of magic from Messi to win each game and he is 11-4 at bet365 to bag the opener and 8-11 at bet365 to net at any time.
Swiss star man Xherdan Shaqiri hit a hat-trick against Honduras and will fancy his chances of another tonight. He is 7-2 at bet365 to net and 12-1 with McBookie to break the deadlock.
Recommended Bets
Messi to score first
(11-4, bet365)
Both to score
(37-40, McBookie, BetVictor)
Argentina and btts
(12-5, Coral)
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GambleAware
Messi has 4 goals so far not 3, 2 v Nigeria and 1 in other 2 games
I’m waiting on Argentina for a six fold accy. I’m very tempted to cash out for the 2/3rds of the value as I simply have no faith in them. Going to leave it until the last minute in the hope that their odds come down and improving the value on the selections.
I would still put my money on the Germans over the Argentinians at this stage. Argentina are a one man team. Di Maria who I rate just hasn’t done it for me at this tournament.
But Di Maria did well against Nigeria. He was involved in the first goal. I think he was unlucky not to have scored.
A speculative punt on argentina to win 3-1at 12/1 !!
Argentina are woefull brazil not much better
Germany to win world cup
The start of the World Cup was great ,it’s been pretty shit last few games tbh. No team actually looks fantastic, wdnt rule out Columbia either .