A high-profile CONMEBOL 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament battle between two fan-favorite teams Argentina (0-1-1, 1 point) and Brazil (1-1-0, 3 points) is set to happen at the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti in Buenos Aires on November 12th.
Argentina is currently struggling to find a win without its main man, Lionel Messi, who is still nursing a torn internal collateral ligament in his left knee. The team shockingly dropped its first game against Ecuador, 0-2, then settled for a goalless draw against Paraguay in their next match at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asunción, via Bleacher Report.
La Albiceleste striker Sergio Agüero is also out with a hamstring injury, which further depleted Gerardo Martino's scoring options in the competitions.
Meanwhile, Brazil is ready to welcome back team captain Neymar to the national team after serving a four-game suspension from FIFA for being one of the instigators of a fight-marred game versus Columbia during this year's Copa America.
Seleção routed Venezuela in their most recent match of the tourney, 3-1, at the Estádio Castelão in Fortaleza, as reported by ESPN.
Chelsea's attacking midfielder Willian had a brace in the first half before Venezuelan winger Christian Santos answered with a strike four minutes after the hour mark. Striker Ricardo Oliveira scored at the 73rd to seal the Canarinho's win.
The predicted result is a 3-2 win by Brazil over Argentina. Without Messi and Agüero, La Albiceleste will not be able to keep up with Neymar and the Pentacampeões this Thursday.
Argentina starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Romero; Demichelis, Funes Mori, Otamendi, Más; Kranevitter, Di María, Pastore, Mascherano; Tevez, Lavezzi
Brazil starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Alisson; Luiz, Miranda, Alves, Luis; Costa, Elias, Oscar, Gustavo; Willian, Neymar