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Olympics Preview, Mens Football: Top clubs' loss is our gain

While the Argentine defence provide a solid platform for the attacking verve of Riquelme and Messi, Serbia boast one of the fittest squads and a never say die attitude which makes them a good in-play bet, says Dave Farrar.

The Olympic football tournament seems to be an irrelevant nuisance to many of Europe's top clubs, but the fact that they lose significant players means that we have the bonus of seeing some real superstars on the football field in Beijing.

The European League season will last for nine months, so two-and-a-half weeks of high class international action has to be welcomed. The Olympics traditionally produces some high scoring thrillers, but a note of caution before you decide to go over 2.5 goals in every game: many of the matches will be played in temperatures of 90 degrees plus with high humidity. Expect the more technically gifted sides on view to have an advantage as keeping hold of the ball becomes more important than ever.

It's hard to look beyond the holders Argentina, who are a very backable [3.15]. They have a frightening squad, and one that would be very competitive in all of Europe's major leagues. Lionel Messi is the best player in the world and is capable of winning games on his own, but the squad around him will make sure that he doesn't have to. A midfield which includes Javier Mascherano, Ever Banega and Fernando Gago would be good enough, but the supplementing of Juan Roman Riquelme is a fantastically creative pick. He can provide the spark for the attacking talent which will be on view.

Kun Aguero was the star of the World Under 20 Championships last year and he had a good season at Atletico Madrid on the back of that. Alongside he and Messi will be the hottest young star in Argentina, Diego Buonanotte, and those people who've suggested that Argentina may have defensive weaknesses are seriously underestimating Federico Fazio and particularly Real Madrid's new signing Ezequiel Garay who is well worth a look in the "to score" markets. He will be a potent threat from set pieces for a rock solid Argentina.

If all goes to plan in the group stage and the quarter finals, then Argentina's semi final opponents will be Brazil, and they are many people's idea of the team with which to take on the tournament favourites. I think that it's too easy to be seduced by the big names in the Brazil squad, and I'm happy to take them on. Obviously, Brazil will be great to watch, with Ronaldinho, Pato, and Diego backed up by the likes of the buccaneering Rafinha and the stylish Anderson. I like Liverpool's Lucas as well, but Brazil just don't have the strength in depth of Argentina, and in a tournament which will be played in searing heat and with games coming thick and fast, I think they're a lay. Their headline names mean that they're too short a price and I have no problem getting against them as outright winners at [3.75]

Italy are my idea of the team which will come from Groups C and D to challenge Argentina and Pierluigi Casiraghi's men are worth supporting as an outright alternative at [9.4]. Sebastian Giovinco is going to be a star in Serie A for years to come and he and the midfield driving force Antonio Nocerino are the key men. They were the stars when Italy won the Toulon Tournament in the summer, and the squad has been strengthened by the addition of Riccardo Montolivo, and the two strikers Giuseppe Rossi and Tommaso Rocchi. Rossi and Rocchi are both brilliant finishers and they can provide the killer instinct which could take Italy all of the way to the final.

If you're looking for a team to go well at a bigger price, then Serbia might just be the one at [36.0]. I expect them to get out of their group behind Argentina, and they proved how hard they are to beat at last summer's European Championships. I like their attitude, and they will be as motivated as anyone to win a medal. They have fought back and scored late goals in countless games over the last two years and they will be one of the fittest squads on display in Beijing. If they are struggling in games they are definitely worth a look as an in running play in the last hour of matches as they tend to come on strong in the final half hour. They have the potential to shock an overrated Netherlands in the quarter finals and I think that they will complete my semi final quartet.

The USA and Honduras might also be overpriced in the outright market, and could be worth supporting in individual games, but I'm going with an Argentina against Italy final, with Serbia to win bronze.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Back Argentina to win Gold at [3.15]

Back Italy to win Gold at [9.4]

Back Serbia to win Gold at [36.0]

Lay Brazil to win Gold at [3.75]