MX23RW : Friday, October 19 15:13:30
Oct 16, 2018 at 7pm UK at ​King Abdullah Sports City Reserve Stadium (Jeddah)
Brazil
1-0
Argentina
Miranda (90')
FT(HT: 0-0)

How Argentina could line up against Brazil

Sports Mole looks at how Argentina could line up against Brazil for their derby in Saudi Arabia, without the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain.

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Sports City will play host to one of the biggest matches in international football on Tuesday evening when Argentina take on Brazil in a friendly.

There is usually very little friendly about meetings between these two sides, though, and the unfamiliar surroundings are unlikely to dampen the desire to get one over on the old rivals.

Argentina have undergone a period of change since their World Cup exit, but new boss Lionel Scaloni is so far unbeaten and his side are yet to concede a goal.

It is not the star-studded roster of players we have come to expect from Argentina down the years, though, and here Sports Mole looks at how they could line up in Jeddah.



Possible ARG XI vs. BRA

With the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria currently not involved at international level, the goalscoring burden will fall mainly onto the shoulders of Mauro Icardi and Paulo Dybala - both of whom are yet to open their Argentina accounts.

Lautaro Martinez did score his first international goal in the win over Iraq, but he could be forced to play second fiddle to Giovanni Simeone for this match.

Watford's Roberto Pereyra was also on the scoresheet against Iraq and will be hopeful to have earned a start as a result, and there could be further changes in midfield with Giovani Lo Celso also pushing for a start.

Scaloni does not have a great deal of experience to call upon - the 28-man squad averages just over 10 caps per person, and if you remove Sergio Romero and Nicolas Otamendi from the equation then that figure plummets to 5.5 caps per player - so the manager is likely to utilise what little international knowhow he has at his disposal.

Argentina have played a different goalkeeper in each of their last three matches but should stick with Romero this time, particular considering Franco Armani was forced to pull out of the squad through injury.

Otamendi is also expected to come back into the team, although German Pezzella did score last time out and may feel that he deserves another start.

> Click here to see how Brazil could line up for this fixture.

Share this article now:

Who will win Tuesday's friendly between Brazil and Argentina?

Brazil
Draw
Argentina
Brazil
52.2%
Draw
10.6%
Argentina
37.2%
Sergio Aguero scores the opener during the World Cup group game between Argentina and Iceland on June 16, 2018
Read Next:
Scaloni: 'Aguero did not request omission'
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City86202131820
2Chelsea86201851320
3Liverpool86201531220
4Arsenal86021910918
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs8602157818
6Bournemouth85121612416
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves843196315
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd84131314-113
9Watford84131112-113
10Leicester CityLeicester84041412212
11Everton83321312112
12Burnley82241012-28
13Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton8224913-48
14Crystal Palace821559-47
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham8215813-57
16Southampton8125614-85
17Fulham8125921-125
18Huddersfield TownHuddersfield8035417-133
19Newcastle UnitedNewcastle8026613-72
20Cardiff CityCardiff8026417-132

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account