Group C Betting Preview - the group of death

Every World Cup must have one, and Group C is 2006's 'Group of Death' as it's been labelled since being drawn. This has put four quality sides together, which could culminate in the tightest matches of the opening phase and with it the first major casualty of this years tournament. Argentina and Holland are the bookies' favourites to progress from this quartet but this is by no means a formality, as the hard-working collective of Serbia & Montenegro and Africa's big hope, the Ivory Coast, will provide more than a test for the cast of '78's final. The Argentineans finished second behind Brazil, the first time they have not topped the South American group, in their qualification and, despite two shock defeats in warm-ups against England and Croatia, they are among the favourites to do well in Germany. The sublime playmaker Riquelme is the heartbeat of the team - his array of passing and dead ball threat will probe opposition defences all day long. Waiting to feed on this service are a likely front pairing of Hernan Crespo and Carlos Tevez. Crespo made the last two World Cups but was somewhat overshadowed by the now retired Gabriel Batistuta so he may now feel it's his time to shine. He thrives on accurate service in the box while Tevez has been making a big name for himself with Brazilian side Corinthians and his tendency to drop deep may disjoint defences allowing the likes of Riquelme to open up the opposition. The Argentineans have a host of experience at the back led by captain Juan Pablo Sorin and are completed by as well a drilled midfield unit you'll find this year. I make the Argentineans not only certainties to win this group but semi-finalists at least where they're likely to face arch rivals Brazil. Holland cruised home in their qualifying group, unbeaten in twelve games and five points clear of rivals Czech Republic. Dutch legend Van Basten is building a new team but the growing concern among the country's best pundits is whether their inexperience will be their downfall. As a player, Van Basten oozed class and style. His relatively raw collection of player's play attractive, attacking football, seemingly emulating the hallmark's of their manager's career and they could be dark horses this year if everything falls right. Whether this competition has come too early for his young side is another matter, however, and it will take all the experience of the likes of Van Der Sar, Cocu and Van Bommel to keep the rebuilt spirit of 'The Oranje' together if they are to succeed. The Dutch are every romantic's team and after missing the last World Cup they have their reputation to restore on the World stage. With the attacking options they have, goals or at least goal threats will not be short in the offering and Ruud Van Nistelrooy will look to put recent domestic troubles behind him when donning the number nine shirt. In Arjen Robben they have a potential world beater but his theatrical antics may draw the wrong kind of attention from the officials, who will be watching him closely while one player many may not be familiar with is Rafael Van der Vaart. An exciting young attacking midfielder playing just behind the front men who can really make a name for himself this summer - one to watch. For me, though, they are playing for second place in this group and I don't fancy them to progress. The organisation of the Serbs and Ivory Coast's powerful game will be too stern a test for Van Basten's men at this stage of their progression and that all comes before meeting Argentina on June 21. So who will fill the runner up spot then and confirm the Dutch as the upset of the first round? For me it's Serbia and Montenegro. 'Beware the underdogs' I saw spread across a recent World Cup article and this is the team I predict will provide the surprise package of the tournament. Qualifying as Group winners ahead of Spain without losing a single game and conceding only one goal has given them real optimism ahead of this year's competition, and this extremely well disciplined outfit are going to prove a very tough nut to crack in Germany. Led by the authoritative figure of coach Ilija Petkovic the team's strong points are tactical discipline, solid defending and great team spirit. A spirit born out of the coach's great self-confidence, which he has instilled in his players. The Serb defence is notoriously miserly and this will provide the foundation for any success. Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic and partner Mladen Krstajic are very solid and the likes of Crespo, Van Nistelrooy and Drogba will have to be at their very best to get change from this duo. A hard working midfield provides plenty of protection for their back line and up front they have plenty of options, including the giant frame of Nikola Zigic, who is likely to partner ex-Chelsea star Kezman. Above all the Serbs are a very compact unit with a group of players that are clearly responding to their manager's belief in them. A belief that has seen him quoted as saying 'either Argentina or Holland will not get out of the group' and I for one agree with him. The Ivory Coast won't be there just to make the numbers up mind you. The African Nations cup runners-up boast a host of Premiership stars and will play without inhibition or fear on their World Cup debut. They have a settled side and, with the likes of Arsenal's Eboue and Toure in their defence, they should be hard to break down. The goalscoring prowess of Didier Drogba will be vital to any success but the one key man for them could be Didier Zokora - a midfield enforcer with a growing list of admirers from top clubs around Europe. My fear for the 'Black Elephants' is that their gung ho style will see them picked off by the more experienced Argentina and wiley Serbs, and thus this will be a quick exit, although they will be entertaining. They carry the hopes of Africa with them and memories of Cameroon and Senegal's recent exploits will spur them on to upset the big boys here and they may even take Holland's scalp home with them as a souvenir. But it's Argentina, followed by Serbia & Montenegro for me, and at 10/1 (BlueSq) looks like a value bet as a group forecast. Verdict: 1pt Argentina - Serbia & Montenegro Group C forecast @ 10/1 (Bet 365)