Argentina conclude their preparations for the upcoming Copa America by facing Nicaragua in an international friendly on Saturday.
The South American nation are huge favourites to overcome their less illustrious opponents, who are getting ready for the start of the CONCACAF Gold Cup later this month.
Argentina
© ReutersArgentina have struggled for consistency since the back end of 2017, and there have been no signs of that changing in the run-up to the start of the 46th staging of the Copa America.
The 14-time winners of the event have won five of their eight matches since a last-16 exit at the 2018 World Cup, and that includes back-to-back victories being recorded against Mexico in November.
Just two fixtures have been played since those games, however, with Argentina succumbing to a 3-1 defeat to Venezuela and a narrow 1-0 triumph coming against Morocco.
Lionel Scaloni had initially made a positive impression as head coach of La Albiceleste, but the former right-sided player is now under pressure to guide his team to glory on the territory of rivals Brazil.
A meeting with Nicaragua represents the perfect chance to build some confidence in his squad ahead of their opening contest, which comes against Colombia next weekend, although half of this group of players are inexperienced on the international stage.
Eleven of the 23-man squad are yet to reach double figures for Argentina, with just five players having earned over 20 caps for the senior team.
That only places extra responsibility on the shoulders of Lionel Messi, who himself has questioned whether Argentina have a realistic chance of winning their first Copa America since 1993.
Only time will tell if Messi is simply trying to take pressure off a national team which has finished as runners-up in four of the last five stagings of the competition.
Recent form: WLWWLW
Nicaragua
© ReutersNicaragua's world ranking of 132 suggests that they will do well to avoid a heavy defeat at the hands of Argentina, but boss Henry Duarte will want his players to savour the opportunity of featuring against one of the world's biggest nations.
The Blue and Whites have spent much of their existence in international football away from major competitions, and the size of their task on Saturday is highlighted by the fact that their biggest win over the past 15 months came against Barbados.
However, there is an excitement in the camp ahead of a second successive appearance at the Gold Cup, with this group determined to improve on their three defeats and solitary goal two years ago.
Nicaragua head into the meeting with Argentina having put together a run of just one defeat from seven outings, although their most credible result came courtesy of a draw against Bolivia in March.
The narrow 1-0 success against Barbados followed at the end of March, and Duarte has been left with the task of trying to keep confidence high while contending with the toughest game in their history.
As many as 13 of the 23-man squad have earned fewer than five international caps, which includes many of the forward line, and there will be a reliance on midfielder and captain Juan Barrera to add to his 17 goals from 49 appearances.
Duarte will equally want to be justified in showing faith in a fresh crop of players, however, and managing to keep goals down to a minimum could do wonders for their belief ahead of facing Costa Rica, Haiti and Bermuda later this month.
Recent form: DWWLDW
Team News
© ReutersScaloni used two separate teams during training earlier this week, suggesting that 45 minutes could be given to each lineup.
The one featuring Messi and Sergio Aguero is expected to start in San Juan, with Matias Suarez to play alongside the pair in attack.
Renzo Saravia appears in line for just his fourth outing at right-back, and Guido Pizarro and Guido Rodriguez could earn their third caps in midfield.
Duarte could adopt a similar approach with Nicaragua, but the 60-year-old is likely to favour playing his more experienced players from the start of the game.
Argentina possible starting lineup:
Armani; Saravia, Pezzella, Otamendi, Acuna; Lo Celso, Pizarro, Rodriguez; Suarez, Aguero, Messi
Nicaragua possible starting lineup:
Lorente; Quijano, Rosas, O.Lopez, Copete, Barrera, M.Lopez, Betancur, Punyed, Galeano, Bonilla
Head To Head
Saturday's meeting will represent the first-ever clash between the two nations.
We say: Argentina 4-0 Nicaragua
Scaloni will likely take the opportunity to give minutes to the majority of his squad, but that should not stop Argentina from coasting to victory. Nicaragua will have their own targets for this game, although they will likely be satisfied to keep the scoreline respectable.
