Watch live football Argentina v Nigeria (FIFA 2010)

 

 Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Date: Saturday, 12 June 2010

Kick-off: 1500 BST

Coverage: BBC1, BBC HD and BBC Radio 5 live, live video and live text commentary on this website

TEAM NEWS

Argentina coach Diego Maradona is tipped to switch to a three-man attack to accommodate Carlos Tevez.

The Manchester City striker is likely to play alongside Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi. Newcastle's Jonas Gutierrez is set to start on the right side of midfield but may have to fill in at right-back when the Argentines are under pressure.

Nigeria will be without Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, who withdrew from the squad due to a knee problem. His place could go to Monaco youngster Lukman Haruna, who has impressed in warm-up games.

MATCH PREVIEW

Diego Maradona won his last cap against Nigeria at USA '94, so there is a certain symmetry in the Super Eagles again providing the opposition for his first World Cup match as Argentina coach. Maradona's playing pedigree is without question, but he is probably the least experienced of all the coaches in South Africa.

Just like during his playing days, Maradona seems to relish surprising and outwitting all comers, and he is expected to abandon 4-4-2 in favour of a three-man attack. That formation should suit Lionel Messi and accommodate Carlos Tevez. "Carlitos cannot be left out of the team. He is an idol of the people, more than me and Lionel Messi, so I read," Maradona says.

Only two months ago Maradona said Argentina would line up this summer as they did against Germany in March, using a pragmatic 4-4-2 formation featuring four centre-backs. Was Maradona trying to sell watching scouts a dummy, or has he simply had a last-minute change of heart? And if things don't go to plan at Ellis Park, how lo