CHRIS BEAN'S GROUP C PREVIEW

ARGENTINA - 9/1 to win cup (bet365) 5/4 to win group (Total Bet).

The Argentineans made this year's World Cup after finishing second in the South American qualifying zone having just being edged out by Brazil for top spot on goal difference. However their away form was very poor in their qualifying campaign and included defeats to Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Since their qualifying campaign they have competed in two friendly fixtures against England and Croatia. In both games they took an early advantage but got beat in the late stages with both fixtures ending up in a 3-2 defeat for the South Americans. Another cause for concern is the calibre of opposition in the two friendly matches they have lined up before the start of the tournament. They face Angola and Saudi Arabia.

With Argentina's recent form in Europe and their poor form in European World Cup finals, there is a distinct possibility of the South Americans making an early exit. Add to the equation that they are in the "group of death" a group elimination at 5/2 with Sporting Odds is highly tempting.

However they do have class in abundance and you can never rule them out in any tournament. An exit in the semi-final stage is highly probable and you can get odds of 11/2 with Paddy Power if you believe that will occur.

Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo will want to make an impact at the World Cup this year as he is out of favour at Stamford Bridge, and with the imminent arrival of Andrei Shevchenko in West London, he will need to catch a big team's eye. And what better way to set the world alight then by bagging the Golden Boot award. He is currently 18/1 with Paddy Power to be top of the scoring charts come the 9th July.

His strike partner is Carlos Tevez who has been hailed as the new Maradona. The Corinthians hitman is tipped to make a move to Europe after the tournament, and a good goal scoring record could secure a move to one of the top teams in either Italy or Spain. At odds of 40/1 with Total Bet it is worth an each way bet.

My tip - A surprise early exit in the groups. 5/2 with Sporting Odds.

IVORY COAST - 100/1 to win cup, 9/1 to win group (both prices with Sporting Odds).

In recent World Cups there has been a fair few African teams who have captured the imagination of the footballing world. In 1990 it was Cameroon, 1994 and 1998 Nigeria, and in 2002 Senegal. And in my opinion Ivory Coast will be the shining light from Africa this time around. They qualified after finishing top of arguably the toughest group in the African zone, conquering Egypt and Cameroon in Group Three. They also performed very well in this years African Cup of Nations by finishing as runners-up to Egypt after succumbing in a penalty shoot out.

I would have been very confident before the World Cup draw in saying that the Ivory Coast would make it into the Second Round at least, but the group they are in will make this a very tough ask for them. But if you believe they can rise to the challenge and make the quarter finals then Paddy Power are offering odds of 9/1. For the Ivory Coast to become the first African team to make a semi-final then you can get odds of 18/1 once again with Paddy Power.

Didier Drogba will be leading the charge for the Elephants, and it will be the perfect platform to put himself in the shop window, as he has signalled his intentions on leaving Chelsea in the summer. You can get odds of 80/1 with Bet Direct for the former Marseilles striker.

My tip - I have a feeling an African team will make the semis, and The Elephants are the best equipped to do it. 18/1 with Paddy Power.

SERBIA & MONTENEGRO - 100/1 to win cup (Betfred) 9/1 to win group (Ladbrokes).

As Montenegro has now decided to become an independent country, this will be the first and last time Serbia and Montenegro will make an appearance in the World Cup. Previously this team were known as Yugoslavia and have had a good pedigree in the finals since the incarnation of the tournament. Out of the previous seven appearances they have only failed to qualify from the group stage once. They have also made the semi-finals on two occasions.

The Balkan country qualified after finishing top of their group in an undefeated campaign, edging out Spain by two points. So they will not be easy pushovers in this group. However the bookies are tipping them for an exit in the group stage, which could comeback to bite them on the backside. For Serbians to be eliminated in the second round is 9/2 with Bet And Win.

Atletico Madrid striker Mateja Kezman has the weight on his shoulders to produce the goods in Germany, and he is currently quoted at 66/1 with Paddy Power to finish on top of the goalscoring charts. His strike partner Dejan Stankovic has larger odds of 125/1 with Betfred.

My tip - elimination in the second round at 9/2 with Bet And Win.

NETHERLANDS - 14/1 to win cup (Coral) 6/4 to win group (Victor Chandler).

The Dutch team have been very erratic and unpredictable in recent years and suffered the embarrassment of not even qualifying for the last World Cup in Japan and South Korea. The men in Orange qualified for this World Cup after finishing top of their group, which was arguably the toughest pool of teams which included the Czech Republic, Romania and Finland. They have had a good record in the competition since 1974. They have made two finals and a semi-final appearance in that time.

Ever since George Hardwick introduced "Total Football" to the Dutch population in the late Sixties, the Netherlands have become a global footballing force. However due to lack of team spirit and in-fighting in the camp, the trophy has eluded them. According to the Dutch management this has now been quelled and there is now team unity. But it just takes one of their "ego" players to destroy that bond. If that does occur, an exit at the group stages at 2/1 with bet365 could be a good possibility.

The Dutch are spoilt for choice for attacking players which include Van Persie, Vennegoor of Hesselink, and Dirk Kuyt to name a few. But the main attraction is Ruud Van Nistelrooy. The man scores at least once every two games and is in real contention to be the Golden Boot winner this year, which would secure him a move to a big club due to his bust up with Alex Ferguson. You can get odds of 18/1 with Paddy Power which is great odds for this calibre of striker.

My tip - Back Ruud to grab the Golden Boot at 18/1 with Paddy Power.

Odds were correct at time of writing.

BACK TO WORLD CUP INDEX PAGE