Argentina to take game of two halves

For those of you so desperate for your fix of football that you have been up until sunset watching the Copa America, it will come as no surprise that Argentina are as short as evens to overcome their arch rivals Brazil. In fact, those odds aren't short enough given the sheer quality of their performances so get on before it's too late. Alfio Basile's side have swept all comers aside with the sort of style and swagger reminiscent of the boys from Brazil in the 1970s and early 80s, scoring a breathtaking 16 goals in five matches. Juan Riquelme has been at his playmaking best, Juan Sebastien Veron has relished his return to the big stage and Lionel Messi has scored the goal of the tournament so far, a deft chip in the semi-final that helped his side to a 3-0 win against Mexico. And then there's Man United wannabe Carlos Tevez, whose inspirational performance as a second-half substitute against Peru in the quarter-finals turned a goalless stalemate into a 4-0 drubbing. Brazil have played well in this tournament, but more sporadically. There is no taking away their 6-1 thrashing of Chile in the quarter-finals and Los Canarinhos have registered a respectable 12 goals so far in Venezuela. However, with three goals conceded in the last two games and the defensive guard dog that is Gilberto Silva suspended for the final in Maracaibo it's difficult to see past Argentina going one better than 2004 and claiming their 15th Copa. The temptation is to expect a high-scoring game, given the free-scoring nature of the two sides, but Brazil will look to stifle the Argentines, who will be eager to erase the memory of the last final, when Adriano's injury-time goal took the game to a penalty shoot-out which, as in this week's semi-final against Uruguay, Brazil won after a 2-2 draw. Argentina have so far been held back for a half in three of their five matches to date, but each time they have gone on to win and a Brazil minus Gilberto will struggle to contain the most exciting national team in generations. Take the half-time/full-time, Draw/Argentina at 4/1 with Sporting Odds. Verdict: 3pts Argentina to beat Brazil @ Evens (General) Verdict: 2pts Draw/Argentina @ 4/1 (Sporting Odds)