Lionel Messi Brazil v Argentina World Cup qualifying 10112016Getty

Betting: Brazil should beat Messi's struggling Argentina

Brazil won't need Neymar to defeat Lionel Messi's Argentina, according to bet365 , as two of the world's greatest football nations prepare to meet in Melbourne.

Neymar is the highest profile exclusion from coach Tite's squad for their Australian tour this month but his Barcelona team-mate Messi will be in action at the MCG on June 9.

Despite Neymar's absence, Brazil are considered very slight favourites for the friendly at $2.62 at bet365 .

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They are decent odds considering Brazil have won their past nine games, including eight straight World Cup qualifiers, which saw the Selecao become the first national team to qualify for Russia 2018 in March.

Argentina ( $2.70 ) are struggling by comparison, with three losses in their past five matches.

The draw is a $3.25 option.

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Brazil haven't lost to Argentina since 2012, winning two of their past three meetings, including a 3-0 triumph in a World Cup qualifier in November.

Tite will still have the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Willian and David Luiz at his disposal against Argentina, while Messi will be joined by Angel Di Maria, Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain in Melbourne.

Messi ( $4.00 ) is the clear favourite to be the first goalscorer but Dybala ( $8.00 ) and Di Maria ( $11.00 ) provide more value, as do Brazil's Willian and Douglas Costa (both $10.00 ).

*Prices subject to change

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