Argentina vs. Brazil: Predictions and Preview

There is no doubt that Saturday's South American clásico between Argentina and Brazil will be an important and exhilarating match.

Argentina enters the frame with 22 points and in the last automatic qualifying position, while Brazil leads the CONMEBOL standings with 27 points, a comfortable lead in a continent as competitive and tightly-contested as South America.

However, there will be very significant differences between both camps when they enter Rosario Central's Gigante de Arroyito on Saturday afternoon, besides their positions in the qualifiers.

Brazil will be entering the match comfortably, knowing that they have the edge footbalistically speaking and looking to destroy Argentina on the counter-attack as they did with Uruguay in Montevideo only a few months ago (by a resounding 4-0 scoreline might I add), in a game where the Uruguayans dominated in possession and shots on goal.

Argentina, on the other hand, will be feeling the pressure in front of a demanding home crowd which has been quite critical of coach Maradona in the recent weeks. His call-ups lack the technical skill, fieriness, and experience of the Brazilians, while his coaching strategy and tactical stubbornness might come into clear view if Brazil manages to knock in the first goal.

Argentina's weakness will be exaggerated by Maradona's capriciousness in selecting the appropriate starting eleven for the contest.

The 11 players Maradona summoned for his latest training session yesterday, and who appear to be the likely starters for the gripping contest on Saturday were: Mariano Andujar; Javier Zanetti, Sebastian Dominguez, Nicolas Otamendi, Gabriel Heinze; Maximiliano Rodriguez, Javier Mascherano, Juan Sebastian Veron, Jesus Datolo; Messi and Tevez.

Of them, center backs Sebastian Dominguez and Nicolas Otamendi have very little national team experience, sharing two caps between them. Veron, despite being brilliant with his club side, is too tired and old to deal with the lightening quickness and ability of Kaka, Felipe Melo, or Elano in the midfield.

And, Jesus Datolo, will only be making his second appearance for la Seleccion, regardless of his bright performance in Russia a few weeks ago. All this, and no real center forward to challenge the Brazilians in the air, with Messi and Tevez both looking to play out of position that evening.

The Brazilian lineup looks to be much stronger for the qualifier with Dunga possibly playing Robinho and Luis Fabiano up front (with Adriano possibly making an appearance as a third striker); Felipe Melo, Kaka, Elano or Lucas, and Gilberto Silva in the midfield; and Maicon, Dani Alves or Andre Santos, Juan and Lucio in the back, with Julio Cesar in goal for the five-time World Cup Champions.

With all this being taken into account, however, this match will still be decided based upon who scores first. If Argentina scores, they will likely hold off a cautious and comfortable Brazil, but if the latter put one by Andujar first, then expect to see a flurry of goals from the Selecao.

For Argentina fans, we will be hoping to see a currently on-fire Lisandro Lopez or Diego Milito take the pitch on Saturday. Brazilians, what could you really ask Dunga for? You already have the best team in the world.

Official Prediction:
Argentina 3-1 Brazil, if Argentina scores first.
Argentina 0-3 Brazil, if Kaka and crew score first.