Argentina Outright Winner odds: 9/1 (Ladbrokes)
Betting Tips and Recommended bets with odds
Despite their reputation, and the presence of Lionel Messi, Argentina are not the force they once were - they scraped through to the World Cup and have failed to impress in their recent friendlies because of their porous defence.
Their attacking depth of talent is unquestionable – even if Sergio Aguero struggles to regain fitness, the likes of Gonzalo Higuain and Angel di Maria will join Messi in Russia – but their defence has struggled.
Nevertheless, and despite losing to Group D opponents Nigeria in one of their recent friendlies, Argentina will still expect to have little problem getting out of the group.
Messi's telling impact in the crucial qualifier against Ecuador showed how he can drag his international team-mates out of trouble and they are 8/13 to win Group D with Bet365, which with Croatia, Nigeria and Iceland as opponents they really should be doing.
Should they do so, they would likely have to play whoever finishes second behind France in Group C - Denmark are favourites, ahead of Peru and Australia.
Again, that should pose little trouble and so a quarter-final place, despite their poor form, looks very much on the cards for Jorge Sampaoli’s side. It is why they are just 4/6 with Bet365 to get to the last eight.
There, however, is where their look runs out - Argentina's likely opponents in the quarter-finals will be Spain, bringing back painful memories of March's 6-1 friendly drubbing. Of course, the World Cup will be a matter - Messi will be back, for starters - but it shows Spain's superiority over Argentina. If not Spain, meanwhile, it will probably be European champions Portugal awaiting - and a potential Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo battle. Away from the top stars, however, and looking at the form book, that too will only be going the way of the Europeans.
Surprisingly, therefore, you can back Argentina to be eliminated in the quarter-finals at a generous 11/4 with Bet365.
Recommended bet
Argentina to be eliminated in the World Cup quarter-finals at 11/4 with Bet365