Team News
Lionel Messi started the stalemate against Colombia on the bench, and the four time Ballon D’or winner awaits the same fate as he is yet to return to full fitness.
Much to the woes of Alejandro Sabella, the Argentina head coach will not be able to utilize the services of Gonzalo Higuain and Pablo Zabaleta as the duo face suspensions. Higuain received his marching orders after a malicious tackle on Ospina in the match against Colombia, whereas Zabaleta who was one yellow card away from suspension will also be out of the important clash.
Boca Juniors full back Clemente Rodriguez is set to replace the Manchester City man in the squad and will face competition from Gino Peruzzi and Hugo Campagnaro for a berth in the starting line up.
Felipe Caicedo is set to return to the Ecuador starting eleven after a muscle strain kept him on the bench in the match against Peru.
Analysis
Alejandro Sabella is set to deploy a 5-3-2 formation for the tie against Ecuador. Gino Peruzzi is likely to replace the suspended Zabaleta, whereas Manchester City star Sergio Aguero will spearhead the attack with either of Rodrigo Palacio or Ezequiel Lavezzi.
In the absence of the mercurial Lionel Messi and Real Madrid star Gonzalo Higuain the goal scoring burden will fall on the shoulders of Sergio Aguero. The Manchester City star after his heroic antics in the first season at the Etihad Club had a less than impressive second season, the 25 year old looked out of sorts in the match against Colombia and must rediscover his form to guide his side to a victory.
Jorge Guagua will be handed the responsibility to keep El Kun at bay, the 31 year old Quito native is known for his strength and physicality which will surely be a worry for Aguero.
A welcome return of Felipe Caicedo will allow him to resume his formidable partnership with former Birmingham striker Christian Benitez. The duo has been in blitzing form with their partnership yielding nine goals in the qualifiers.
Caicedo will however have a competent counterpart in the shape of Ezequiel Garay, the former Real Madrid man successfully kept Radamel Falcao quiet for 90 minutes during Argentina’s encounter against Colombia and will be hoping to help his side maintain another clean sheet in Tuesday’s meeting.
Argentina should also be vary of Man United’s explosive winger Antonio Valencia. The absence of Zabaleta will make things easier for the 27 year old who is an accomplished crosser of the ball and will definitely cause havoc in the Argentinean defence.
Argentina currently top the group with 25 points from 12 matches with Ecuador trailing by five points with a game in hand. A win for Ecuador will bring them closer to the top berth and will allow them to overhaul the two time World Champions for the first place by winning their game in hand, a disappointment which Argentina will be keen to avoid.
Head to Head
Jun 2, 2012 – Argentina 4-0 Ecuador
Jun 10, 2009 Ecuador 2-0 Argentina
Jun 15, 2008 – Argentina 1-1 Ecuador
Jun 4, 2005 – Ecuador 2-0 Argentina
Mar 31, 2004 – Argentina 1-0 Ecuador
Last five matches
Ecuador
Jun 7, 2013 Peru 1-0 Ecuador
May 29, 2013 – Ecuador 2-4 Germany
Mar 26, 2013 – Ecuador 4-1 Paraguay
Mar 21, 2013 – Ecuador 5-0 El Salvador
Feb 6, 2013 – Portugal 2-3 Ecuador
Argentina
Jun 7, 2013 – Argentina 0-0 Colombia
Mar 26, 2013 – Bolivia 1-1 Argentina
Mar 22, 2013 – Argentina 3-0 Venezuela
Feb 6, 2013 – Sweden 2-3 Argentina
Nov 21, 2012 – Argentina 2-1 Brazil
Prediction
The return of Felipe Caicedo will boost Ecuador’s chances against Argentina, whereas La Albiceleste are likely to suffer with the absence of a natural goal scorer with Sergio Aguero having failed to score in the last four world cup qualifying matches. A substitute appearance by Lionel Messi may salvage Argentina’s chances of a victory.
Ecuador 2-1 Argentina
