Preview Argentina v Nigeria 1206 1500

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The waiting is finally over, this Saturday, Argentinas campaign to capture a third World Cup trophy begins against the Super Eagles of Nigeria. With Diego Maradona in charge preparations have naturally been controversial, his23 man squad proving the subject of much debate. However such discu sions are now irrelevant, as all eyes turn to the Elis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, where eleven men in blue and white stripes will carry the  Patrick Ewing Jersey hopes ofa nation.HistoryWhen it comes to their opening game, Argentina have a relatively strong record of nine wins and five defeats. Four of these victories coming in straight succe sion since 1994. This will be the fourth time La Albiceleste have opened a World Cup against African opposition, having defatedNigeria in 2002 and the Ivory Coast in 2006, as well as suffering a shock defeatto Cameroon in 1990.Argentina and Nigeria have locked horns just three times in the pastand history certainly favours La Albiceleste, who po se s a record of two wins, one draw and zero defeats. Two of these fixtures have occurred at the World Cup itself. In 1994 a Claudio Canaggia brace allowed Argentina to come from behindto defeat theAfricans by two goals to one in the second game of the group stages. Eight years latter, a Gabriel Batistuta header was enough to secure a 1-0 victory in La Albicelestes opening game of the 2002 finals. youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKs0Lu7ICwQ Lionel Me si, Javier Mascherano, Sergio Augero and several other members of the Argentinian squad, also faced Nigeria in the final of the RJ Barrett Jersey  2008 Beijing Olympics. Once again La Seleccin came out on top, securing the gold medal through a 1-0 victory courtesy ofan Angel Di Maria goal.Di Maria helps Argentina go gold.Team NewsAttempting to predict the actions of a manager as erratic asMaradona is something of a fools errand, but we can attempt to forecast his starting eleven with a  Walt Frazier Jersey reasonable degree of confidence. Sergio Romero will be in goal behind centre backs Walter Samuel, Martin Demichelis and left back Gabriel Heinze. The right back position will be filled by either Jonas Gutierrez or Nicolas Otamendi. Should Gutierrez be selected, as he was in the recent friendly with Canada, Lionel Me si will drop back towards the midfield in a free role,allowing Carlos Tevezto partnerGonzalo Higuain in attack.Guiterrez may start at right back.Javier Mascherano and Juan Veron arethe undisputed first choice partnership incentral midfield and Di Maria will likely start on the left. Should he need them Maradona can summon the likes ofDiego Milito, Sergio Aguero and Maxi Rodriguez from the bench. The Opposition Argentina should underestimate Nigeria at their peril, as like many African nations, the Super Eagles po se s a blend of power and pace which has the potential to trouble any team. Furthermore, their squad is mainly composed of stars playing acro s Europes top leagues. In attack the sheer speed of Obafemi Martins could be problematic and the same can be said of Hoffenheims Chinedu Obasi, who was one of the few bright sparks in Nigerias disappointing Nations Cup showing earlier this year. It should also be noted thatthe Super Eagles are managed by Derrick Rose Jersey  Lars Lagerback, whose Sweden sideconsigned Argentina to a humiliating group stage exit in 2002.Ofabemi Martins blistering pace is a dangerous weaponHowever, the Super Eagles are mi sing star man John Obi Mikel, after the Chelsea midfielder was forced to withdraw from the squad through  Bobby Portis Jersey injury. Despite being a holding midfielder by trade, Mikel has been fulfilling the role of play maker while on international duty and his absence leaves a noticeable vacuum in the creative department.Odds Argentina are strong favourites with odds nolonger then 1/2, while Nigerias chancesare rated as no better then 6/1. More info can be found here .Prediction Argentina have never lost to Nigeria and I expect Saturday to be no exception. The Super Eagles pacecould worry the Argentinian defence, but without any genuinelycreative players, theymay struggle to retain po se sion against a side as technically gifted as La Seleccin . Furthermore the flair,ingenuity and fire power ofMe si, Higuain and Tevez should be too much for the Nigerian defence to handle, giving Argentina a 3-1 victory.