Nigeria coach Samson Siasia will be looking to record his fourth successive win since taking over in November and the fact that his Super Eagles will face an under strength Argentina side will not be frowned upon. Los Albicelestes enter this game on the back of the 4:2 win over Paraguay, so no doubt they are eager to continue the good run.

Three straight wins for Siasia

Following the very disappointing showing at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the national team chiefs decided to sack coach Lars Lagerback and subsequently appointed Samson Siasia as his replacement. The new boss had a great start to his career at Nigeria bench with his side beating Sierra Leone, Ethiopia and Kenya at home, but the Super Eagles now face the first real test, even if the visitors are missing their key players. Taye Taiwo, Joseph Yobo, John Obi Mikel, Kalu Uche and Obina Nsofor are the well known names in the squad, while Shola Ameobi and Victor Moses are on standby, having yet to receive international clearance. However, the hosts, too, will be without several important players as coach Siasia is clearly looking to test some new players in this game.

Yakubu, Kanu, Martins, Shittu, Afolabi, Odiah, Kanu, Obasi, Echiejile, Haruna, Brown, Odemwingie and Kaita have all been left out.

Sergio Batista continues rotating his squad

Seeing these friendly games as a great way to test as many players as possible before naming the squad for Copa America tournament, coach Sergio Batista is now set to take completely different squad to that which beat Paraguay few days ago. After the home-based squad impressed against Paraguay, the coach has now mostly called European-based players for the game in Nigeria, with only keeper Adrian Gabbarini plying his trade in Argentine league. With Tino Costa, Nico Gaitan, Pablo Zabaleta, Diego Perotti and Mario Bolatti in the side, to name just a few, los Albicelestes clearly look like a good bet against weakened Nigeria side. The visiting players will be very motivated to prove their worth and ensure their place in the Copa America roster, so we can expect a strong performance from Sergio Batista’s side.

Star players Messi, Tevez, Aguero, Mascherano, Zanetti, Cambiasso and few others miss out, but that shouldn’t be too big a problem.

Verdict

An under strength Nigeria side face a tough task against their Argentine counterparts, with the visitors looking superior in all aspects of the game. Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia doesn’t have such a big squad to choose from unlike Sergio Baptista, meaning the hosts will sorely miss the absentees.

Our prediction: Away win

Odds: 1.91 (10/11)

Bookmaker: Sportingbet