World Cup / Andy Morris / 03 June 2010 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

In an ongoing series, Andy Morris looks over the World Cup fixture, day by day.

England's opening game against the USA will be the most anticipated game of the day, but with England's lacklustre World Cup warm-up, Argentina's tournament debut against Nigeria takes centre stage.

Despite a less than impressive qualifying campaign, which saw Diego Maradona's side scrape through with narrow victories in their final two games against Peru and Uruguay, the South Americans are fourth favourites to lift the trophy on 11 July (8.0).

Qualification included six defeats and a total of 20 goals conceded, including an infamous 6-1 reverse in Bolivia, yet the Argentinean squad remains the odds-on favourites (1.53) to down the Super Eagles, who prove an intriguing prospect at 8.4.

With the likes of Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero, Argentina will be looking to play attacking football against a side low on world class names but who draw on the experience of several key players, including Everton pairing Yakubu and Joseph Yobo, and Portsmouth's Kanu.

Perhaps past their prime, the rearguard could struggle to contain Argentina's stars as a result, and with Argentina's own defensive weaknesses, this game promises goal mouth action.

With goals predicted (it is hard not to see both sides finding the net), preference has to go to Argentina and they are 7.0 to win 2-0. With the likes of Messi, Tevez and Aguero, and even Maxi Rodriguex available, they look good value (13) to even win 3-0.

Over 2.5 goals returns odds-on (1.95), while Over 3.5 remains a realistic alternative, with all the evidence to suggest this becoming a high scoring game.

England kick off their campaign against the United States and will be odds-on favourites to start with a win (1.5), but the USA, like England, sailed through qualification with 11 wins from 16 games in the group stages.

The US take a young and exciting squad to South Africa and showed, after defeating Turkey 2-1 in their final warm-up game, that they can pose England real problems.

Many of Bob Bradley's squad ply their trade in Europe including the likes of Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard and Fulham's Clint Dempsey, and will be fully aware of what to expect from Fabio Capello's side.

While England will be expected to take the win, the US would happily take a draw and (4.6) could prove a tempting bet, compared to a victory for the US, which looks optimistic (8.2).

England will need to be wary of the threat posed by Jozy Altidore, who notched six goals during qualification and followed up with a strike against Turkey. Altidore would prove attractive value to find the net again.

At the other end, Rooney and Co. must have been thrilled to see how the US defence was picked apart in the first half against Turkey. Rooney is unlikely to be as wasteful as the Turks, and England therefore have the potential to score goals unless the US can sort their defensive troubles - England Win Both Halves (3.1).

With this in mind, Over 1.5 First Half Goals (3.3) and a match total Over 2.5 (2.12) adds appeal. Eight of England's qualification games had Over 2.5 goals, while twelve of the USA's games also had Over 2.5 - adding further attraction to this market.

The two sides have met twice since 2005, with England successful on both occasions, though both were friendlies. The last meeting ended in a 2-1 victory for England and a repeat of this score (11) could be on the cards, while an England 2-0 victory gives value (7.2).

South Korea have gained good results in warm-up fixtures, and are available at 8.6 to gain a 1-0 victory over Greece. At this early stage of the competition, the matches are likely to be cagey and it's conceivable that one goal will decide this one.