Argentina will aim to book a place in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals when they take on Australia in the round of 16 at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Saturday.
La Albiceleste recovered from a shock opening loss to Saudi Arabia to win their next two games against Mexico and Poland, respectively. The South American champions won their Group C by overcoming a limited Poland side 2-0 on Wednesday.
This resulted in Lionel Scaloni’s side progressing to the last 16 and setting up an encounter against Australia, who progressed to the knockout rounds after stunning Denmark earlier this week.
Argentina Team News
Lionel Scaloni has no fresh injury concerns but could feel the need to shuffle his starting lineup once again, given a quick turnaround between games.
Predicted Argentina Lineup vs Australia (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Back-to-back clean sheets in the wins over Mexico and Poland should have given Emiliano Martinez a lot of confidence heading into the knockout stages of the World Cup. The lanky shot-stopper is a certainty to start in the Argentina lineup against Australia at the weekend.
Defence
Alterations in the Argentinean defence is a possibility, with Lisandro Martinez replacing Cristian Romero in central defence and Nicolas Tagliafico coming in for Marcos Acuna at left-back in the Argentina lineup.
Martinez will partner the hugely experienced Nicolas Otamendi at the heart of the Argentina defence as the duo look to stop the Australians from scoring over the course of the 90 minutes.
Nahuel Molina has done a commendable job in this World Cup and deserves to retain his place at right-back in the Argentina lineup.
Midfield
Up ahead in midfield, Enzo Fernandez is set to keep his spot in the middle of the park in the Argentina lineup after impressing in the last two games. The youngster’s presence will allow the likes of Rodrigo de Paul and Alexis Mac Allister to surge forward and make more of an impact in the final third.
Mac Allister’s overall performance and goal against Poland should be enough to keep Leandro Paredes on the bench, from where the Juventus midfielder will hope to make an impact if called upon in the second half.
Attack
Scaloni taking off Angel di Maria on the hour mark against Poland was to protect the ageing winger and keep him fresh for the crunch knockout clash with Australia. Di Maria will continue on the right flank in the Argentina lineup, while Julian Alvarez, fresh from scoring against Poland, should be rewarded with another start, this time slightly pushed to the left-flank.
Captain, leader and talisman, Lionel Messi should once again shoulder much of the creative burden for his nation. The mercurial Argentinean might operate in a false 9 role, tasked with the responsibility of linking play and exploiting gaps between the Australian defence.
The likes of Lautaro Martinez, Papu Gomez and Thiago Almada could get an opportunity off the bench at some point in the second half.
