As I mentioned in my previous post, Argentina are blessed with a wealth of attacking talent but lack organisation in defence, as well as a tactically sound manager. Even with the help of World Player of the year Leo Messi, La Albiceleste qualified for the tournament off the back of a rather unconvincing qualifying campaign which rested on the final game for Argentina to make it to the World Cup. Messi himself netted a very average (by his own high standards) four goals.

Inconsistency is probably the squad’s biggest failing. Coach Diego Maradona has used no less than 49 different players during qualifying, is unsure of his best formation and his tactics have been heavily questioned. Morale also appears to be a problem, and the team may find it difficult to hold their temperament for more than three games.

Nevertheless, the Argies will no doubt be expected to take the top spot. Although much has been said of Maradona’s rather dubious coaching ability, the fact is that my nan could probably take the team to a respectable distance in the competition, given the talent in the squad.

My prediction: 1st

Nigeria

It’s been a long time since the Super Eagles were African Cup of Nation and Olympic gold medallists in the mid-nineties. The nation has since failed to make much of an impact on the world stage since. The fact that star man John Obi Mikel has fallen prey to the injury curse that is wreaking havoc to big-name players in the lead up to the World Cup, is another huge blow to the team.

However manager Lars Lagerback is fairly new in charge, having taken the helm only in February, and few friendlies have been arranged for the squad, meaning that the new coach has yet to really show what he can do.

The team suffer from a similar disorganisation that blights the Argentina side, but without raw footballing talent of their South American rivals. Expect the Nigerians to put up a fight on their home continent, but don’t expect them to go too far.

My prediction: 3rd

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Diego Maradona in his glory days against England in the 1986 World Cup.

Argentina coach and World Cup legend Diego Maradona has something of a task on his hands when it comes to deciding who’ll be on the plane to South Africa next month – simply because the country is producing too much outstanding talent at the moment.

In fact, so rich is the talent in Argentina that Inter Milan duo Estéban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti have been left out of the provisional 30-man squad, despite being instrumental in securing another Serie A title for Inter and taking them to the Champions’ League final. Their team mates Diego Milito and Walter Samuel do make the grade, however.

Milito has scored 24 goals in 41 league games for Inter this season, making him a possible outside bet for the World Cup’s Ballon d’Or (golden boot). Yet, he may have to fight for his place in the starting 11, amidst stiff competition from Gonzalo Higuain, Carlos Tevez, Kún Aguero and of course, Lional Messi.

Leo Messi is undoubtedbly going to be in the starting line-up – the Barcelona winger is possibly the best player in the world at the moment. That leaves the remaining spot up-front for either Tevez, Higuain and Aguero. Higuain has had a good season for Real Madrid, but failed to prove himself in a number of big games. Aguero has also had a pretty good season for Atlético Madrid, helping them to a Europa League trophy – and of course he’s Maradona’s son-in-law. Finally, Tevez has had a great season at Man City, netting 23 goals in 35 games – leaving Manchester United fans wishing they had kept him instead of Dimitar Berbatov.

Star man: Leo Messi

Midfield names to watch include Juan Sebastian Verón and Javier Mascherano. What Verón lacks in pace he makes up for with his vision, forming a particalarly effective partnership with Messi. Liverpool midfielder Mascherano has been given the captain’s armband and has proved to be a reliable player in the middle of the pitch. His club team-mate Maxi Rodriguez is also likely to appear on the right wing – and we’re hoping to see another beauty from him like this one against Mexico, which was voted the best goal of the previous World Cup in 2006.

Argentina’s defence may their undoing, however. It seems that Maradona has looked to the Argentinian league to build half of his defence, although old favourites such as Marseilles Gabriel Heinze also bring some much-needed experience to the back line. However the team’s qualifying campaign has shown that the defence lacks order and security.

While the team boasts an abundance of talent, their performance in the qualifiers has been poor, and they will need to show that they have both the hunger and discipline if they are to get their hands of the World Cup trophy. As for Maradona himself, while he has plenty of World Cup experience as a player, he hasn’t been managing for long and is short on coaching experience – which may prove to be a vital necessity in South Africa.

bottom line: It may turn out to be a clever move to put your money on Argentina winning the World Cup, but they’re going to have to prove themselves in the early stages first.

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