Germany start their preparations for the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign by playing host to Argentina, with the hosts looking to make amends for the disappointing exit from the Euro 2012.

Los Albicelestes, on the other hand, are hoping for the fifth straight victory in all competitions, with Leo Messi leading the side with captain’s armband.

Germany arrived to Poland and Ukraine as one of the main candidates for the title and they looked really well at the start of the tournament, winning their first four games to reach the semi-finals of a major competition for the fourth time in a row.

However, die Mannschaft were beaten by Italy in the semi-finals to the dismay of their fans and it’s now back to the drawing board for Joachim Low.

The Germans enter the Argentina game severely weakened, with Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm, Mario Gomez and Manuel Neuer all unavailable, while Joachim Low decided to omit Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski as the duo prepares for the start of the Premier League campaign with Arsenal.

Taking all this into consideration, odds of 2.30 (13/10) offered by 888sport on home win do not look too tempting.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Zieler – Boateng, Hummels, Badstuber, Schmelzer – L. Bender, Khedira – Reus, Ozil, Schurrle – Klose.

Argentina have enjoyed a decent start to the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, taking 10 points from first 5 games, while the team have also been doing well in friendly games.

Following the qualifying victories over Colombia and Ecuador, los Albicelestes have beaten Switzerland and Brazil in warm-up games and are now hoping to extend their winning run to five games.

Given that their opponents will be missing quite a few first team regulars, you should know away win pays 3.25 (9/4) at BetVictor.

Argentina boss Alejandro Sabella has named virtually unchanged squad, although Newcastle stopper Fabricio Coloccini returns to the side after a two-year absence.

Messi, Lavezzi, Aguero and Higuain are all included, but Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez continues to miss out.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Romero – Zabaleta, Garay, Coloccini, Rojo – Sosa, Gago, Mascherano, Di Maria – Higuain, Messi.