Messi - Argentina x Bolívia
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
ARGENTINA  Andujar Zabaleta, Burdisso, Demichelis, Rodriguez Sosa, Mascherano, Gago Messi, Higuain, Aguero | BOLIVIA Arias Vargas, Mendez, Rivero, Gutierrez Rojas, Robles, Flores, Cardozo Escobar, Andaveris |
Argentina are without the injured Angel Di Maria and Ever Banega, and welcome Fernando Gago and Sergio Aguero into the fold; while Javier Pastore once more starts from the bench. Boca Juniors star Clemente Rodriguez receives his first call-up since the World Cup in 2010, and comes in at left-back in place of the suspended Marcos Rojo.
Shakhtar Donetsk forward Marcelo Martins is likely to be the highest-profile absence for the away team, as coach Gustavo Quinteros looks set to pick Pablo Escobar and Augusto Andaveris of The Strongest and Aurora respectively. Playmaker Jhasmani Campos also starts from the bench, in a Verde line-up which favours defensive stability over creative spark.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- Argentina have faced Bolivia 31 times, winning 22 whilst losing only six.
- The Verde have also struggled visiting their South American neighbours, never beating the Albiceleste on Argentine soil.
- The last victory, however, belongs to Bolivia. The team destroyed Diego Maradona's men 6-1 in La Paz on April 1 2009.
- The last clash between the two was in this year's Copa America, in the tournament's first game. Bolivia took the lead through Edivaldo Rojas before Sergio Aguero levelled proceedings.
- Bolivia have qualified just once for the World Cup, their only appearance coming in 1994 in the United States.
- Coach Gustavo Quinteros knows Friday's opposition well. He was born in Santa Fe, representing Talleres (RE) in his native land before becoming a Bolivian citizen and earning 26 caps for the Verde.
- The Andean nation are the only team yet to register a qualifying point, losing both of their opening games to Uruguay (4-1) and Colombia (2-1).
Prediction
The Albiceleste are expected to coast to a comfortable victory in the Monumental, and with the talent Alejandro Sabella can put on the field it is hard to see Friday's encounter going any other way.
Editor's Prediction
Argentina 3-0 Bolivia 
