Preview: Argentina Vs Nigeria

Argentina Vs Nigeria preview and prediction:

Argentina will start 2010 world cup campaign as strong favourite against Nigeria which is struggling to recover from loss of John Obi Mikel. Argentina is in good form in warm-up games while Nigeria struggled to report convincing wins except against North Korea. Except in coaching department, Argentina will dominate Nigeria in all departments. Nigeria never defeated Argentina at world cup.

Significance of match: Winner of this match is expected to top group B.

Highlight: Argentina has best attackers in the tournament and also weakest coach. I am looking forward to watch my favourite footballer, Lionel Messi.

Match timing: June 12 at 7:20 PM IST live on ESPN (India)

Venue: Ellis Park stadium, Johannesburg (Altitude of 1753 metres).

History: Argentina won two previous encounters with Nigeria in world cups (1994 & 2002). Argentina defeated Nigeria to win Olympic gold medal in Beijing in 2008 Olympics.

Key players:

Argentina: Lionel Messi, Tevez, Higuain, Angel Di Maria and Veron. But, Javier Mascherano needs to support defenders in controlling attack minded Nigerian forwards.

Nigeria: Yakubu and Martins. Absence of Mikel may weaken mid-field.

Squad analysis:

Argentina: After disastrous qualifying campaign, Argentina is regaining form and defeated Germany in Germany and crushed Haiti and Canada in warm-up games. Argentina has best attacking line-up in the tournament and their substitute forwards (Milito/Aguero!!!) can even wreck havoc on tired defences. If Angel Di Maria, mascherano and Veron provide good passes to forwards, they can do damage against any defence in world. Argentina defence has not conceded even a single goal in last 3 friendly games.

Argentina is expected to field 3 strikers – Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Higuain. Lot of hopes on Angel Di Maria – he needs to provide defence splitting passes to forwards.

This team lost to Bolivia at high altitude stadium (1-6). Argetina is playing this game at an altitude of 1753 metres.

Nigeria: Without Obi Mikel, Nigeria may struggle to control Argentina forwards especially best footballer on planet, Lionel Messi. If they attack too much, defence will be exposed. They failed to defeat even weak teams like Saudi Arabia and Colombia. But, Argentina should not underestimate strong Nigeria forwards like Yakubu and Martins.

Final analysis: Two most attacking teams with lethal strikers means goals will flow. Nigeria has porous defence and even Argentina substitute forwards are way ahead of Nigeria first team forwards. It may be impossible for Nigerians to control Argentina forwards from scoring goals. Nigeria may try for draw but is it possible. Messi! Messi! Messi!

World Cup game Prediction: Argentina 3 – Nigeria 1