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We’ve all heard the expression, ‘It could be a war out there’, when Argentina play England at football; it’s not a cliché, it’s a valid prediction.

Tension between the two countries began to surface in 1982, when an argument broke out over the Wolves and Ipswich defender, Mel Venus. The hostility increased at the World Cup of 1998, where in a moment of madness, David Beckham made a decision that upset the whole of England; he agreed to marry Victoria Adams.

Also in ’98, Beckham was sent off for kicking Diego Simeone, but fate allowed Beckham to partially redeem himself four years later, as his penalty effectively sent the Argies home from the 2002 World Cup.

David Beckham and his wife normally shy away from the spotlight, but he’s always at the centre of attention when England face Argentina; you can back Beckham to score the only goal of the game at 55/1.

In a somewhat surprising move, Sven has recalled David ‘Calamity’ James and Peter Crouch to the squad for the Argentina match; hopefully he’ll play James up front and Crouch in goal.

Admittedly, i’m not a football manager, I’m a gambling guru; but if I had to pick an England team, I wouldn’t touch Crouch with a barge-pole, in fact, I’d rather play the barge-pole. For all you believers, Crouch is a 9/1 shot to score the last goal.

One of my South American contacts has advised me to back Placente to score the first goal for the Argies at 50/1, but I’ve found that somewhat hard to swallow. I’ll be on the draw at 15/8.

The Americans are marching towards Scotland, and somewhat surprisingly, it’s not related to North Sea oil. According to FIFA, the Yanks are the 7th strongest team in the World, which is absolutely ridiculous; it’s the biggest joke in International football since Robbie Savage. Don’t fall for FIFA’s rug-pulling, Scotland are terrific value at 7/5.

France v Germany is an interesting match. Both countries dislike America; I wish they could both win. With Thierry Henry firing on all cylinders, France are the call at 5/6.

The following specials are all available at Super Soccer.

“Oil be back” – The USA to win from behind 11/1
“Argy bargy” – Argentina to have a player sent off 8/1
“Turk up like a kipper” – Hakan Sukur to score with a header 8/1
“The Italian Job” – Italy to score three or more goals 7/1
“Rocking Robin” – Van Persie to score two or more goals 9/1
“A Swiss Roll” – Switzerland to score three or more goals 11/2
“Lord of the Fries” – Thierry Henry to score a hat-trick 16/1
“Throw the towel in” – Germany to have a player sent off 11/1

Quote of the week

“He is very special, and I would like to have him in the World Cup squad” - Sven Goran Eriksson should have spent more money on English lessons, Peter Crouch is the subject.

Stat, you’re a liberty

Wayne ‘Rucker’ Rooney may be considered the best thing since canned lager, but his contribution to World Cup qualification was minimal. Rooney hasn’t scored a competitive goal for England since Euro 2004.

Acc of the week

Scotland; Holland; France; Spain; Uruguay - The five-fold pays a juicy 18/1.

Weekend Betting

Scotland v USA
International Friendly
Saturday 12th November - 16.00 Live on Sky

Scotland 7/5; Draw 11/5; USA 6/4

Get on: Scotland

Here’s a sentence you rarely see, Scotland are value to win a football match.

Match Special: Scotland to keep a clean sheet 6/4

Argentina v England
International Friendly
Saturday 12th November 16.45 - Live on BBC

Argentina 7/5; Draw 15/8; England 7/4

Get on: Draw

This is why bookmakers all drive Ferraris. Any result is possible, except the one that I back. I’m losing my money on the draw.

Match Special: Lampard to score a penalty 7/1

Holland v Italy
International Friendly
Saturday 12th November 19.45 - Live on Bravo

Holland 6/5; Draw 2/1; Italy 2/1

Get on: Holland

The future’s bright, the future’s orange. 6/5 for the Dutch is a corking investment.

Match Special: Van Nistelrooy and Van Persie both to score 8/1

France v Germany
International Friendly
Saturday 12th November 20.00 - Live on Eurosport

France 5/6; Draw 9/4; Germany 13/5

Get on: France

The French have quality throughout their team. The Germans have Michael Ballack.

Match Special: Henry and Trezeguet both to score 5/1

Norway v Czech Rep
World Cup Qualifying play-off 1st Leg
Saturday 12th November 18.30

Norway 2/1; Draw 2/1; Czech Rep 5/4

Get on: Czech Rep

The Czech’s were unlucky to draw Holland in their qualifying group. Will the Czech Republic lose? Nor way.

Match Special: Milan Baros to score at any time 6/4

Switzerland v Turkey
World Cup Qualifying play-off 1st Leg
Saturday 12th November 19.45 - Live on Setanta

Switzerland 6/4; Draw 15/8; Turkey 7/4

Get on: Switzerland

The Swiss will get the result they need at home, but the second leg in Turkey will be no picnic.

Match Special: Frei to score with a header 7/1

Spain v Slovakia
World Cup Qualifying play-off 1st Leg
Saturday 12th November 21.00

Spain 1/4; Draw 7/2; Slovakia 10/1

Get on: Spain

The Spanish were rubbing their hands after the draw, they can afford to take a little siesta and still win the match.

Match Special: Raul to score two or more goals 7/2

Uruguay v Australia
World Cup Qualifying play-off 1st Leg
Saturday 12th November 23.00

Uruguay 4/7; Draw 9/4; Australia 5/1

Get on: Uruguay

The Uruguayan coach will play videos of neighbours in the dressing room pre-match to get the players nicely wound up. Uruguay beat Argentina at home, and drew with Brazil home and away; the Aussies are in for a mullering.

Match Special: Uruguay to score in both halves 6/4

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