Team News
Alejandro Sabella, the coach of Argentina, will be able to count with a full-strength squad when they entertain Ecuador at the Estadio Monumental on Saturday. There was speculation as to whether the coach would select in-form Boca Juniors playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme, but the veteran was excluded from the squad altogether. Sabella has made a couple of changes to his defence, will opt for his usual midfield, and has confirmed a three-man attack comprising of Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero.
Ecuador boss Reinaldo Rueda has few injury concerns to worry about to confront the clash with Argentina. There are doubts as to whether goalkeeper Maximo Banguera will start the game, after suffering a knee injury. If he doesn't recover in time his place will be covered by Liga de Quito goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez. Rueda has yet to decide whether Walter Ayovi or Jefferson Montero will partner Club America striker Christian Benitez in attack.
Probable Starting Line-ups
Argentina: Romero, Zabaleta, Fernandez, Garay, C. Rodriguez, Sosa, Mascherano, Di Maria, Messi, Higuain and Aguero.
Ecuador: Banguera, Achilier, Campos, Erazo, Calderon, Valencia, Castillo, Noboa, Saritama, Ayovi and Benitez.
Form
Los Albicelestes have picked up their game since the appointment of Alejandro Sabella, and have started their World Cup qualifying campaign in decent form, with two wins, one draw and a loss. In their most recent qualifier, the two-time world champions came from behind to defeat Colombia 2-1 in Barranquilla. Since then Argentina have only played one friendly match, when they proved too strong for Switzerland with a 3-1 win in Bern in late February. Ecuador have also been in good form, and come into the game having beaten Peru 2-0 in their last qualification fixture. The last time the teams met in Buenos Aires they fought out a 1-1 draw.
Players to Look out for
Messi: The FIFA World Player of the Year hasn't always played at his top level for his country, but has made a gradual progression, with his winner against Colombia, and the superb hat-trick he converted against Switzerland.
Valencia: The Manchester United winger is clearly one of Ecuador's most influential players, and will be hoping to make as many dangerous runs down the right flank as possible to cause the often vulnerable Argentina defence problems.
Prediction
Despite the fact that Argentina count with one of the strongest squads of the entire planet, South American soccer has become increasingly competitive over the years, and it is often difficult to predict the outcome of matches. With Ecuador's growing prominence on the continent, the visitors are likely to provide Sabella's men with serious problems, however, Argentina's big-name players are likely to make the difference. Expect a match-winning performance from Messi in front of a huge Buenos Aires crowd.
The Verdict:
