TEAM NEWS
Argentina playmaker Juan Veron is available after recovering from a calf problem, while defender Walter Samuel may not be risked despite overcoming a thigh strain.
Newcastle's Jonas Gutierrez is suspended so Nicolas Otamendi could deputise at right-back. Back-up strikers Diego Milito and Sergio Aguero may also feature.
Greece are likely to stick with the side that beat Nigeria in their last game, with Dimitrios Salpingidis partnering Theofanis Gekas up front.
One booking from suspension: Papastathopoulos, Samaras, Torosidis, Tziolis (Greece); Mascherano, Heinze (Argentina)
MATCH PREVIEW
While the likes of England, France and Italy have stumbled, Argentina have stylishly cruised through their opening two games. But despite comfortably beating Nigeria and South Korea, the Argentines are not quite across the finish line.
Argentina can afford to lose this match by a two-goal margin and still reach the last 16, though Diego Maradona's team-talk is unlikely to focus on the complex permutations in Group B, where all four teams remain in the hunt. Maradona's Oxford degree may only be honorary, but he surely won't need his calculator on Tuesday night, such is the talent at his disposal.
The 49-year-old may opt to rest several of his players, such as Gabriel Heinze and Javier Mascherano, both of whom are a booking away from suspension. Mascherano in particular is a key figure - Maradona sacrificed midfield cover in order to select six strikers, and there is no other ball-winner in the squad. Should Mascherano pick up a ban, the decision to leave out Esteban Cambiasso could prove costly.
Greece coach Otto Rehhagel has a dilemma. His natural instinct is to set his team up defensively but a draw may not be enough unless the Nigerians do Greece a favour by beating South Korea. The Greeks will anxiously await news from Durban, but need to focus on the task at hand - they go out if they lose, regardless of results elsewhere.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- The only previous meeting between these sides was at USA '94, when Argentina won 4-0 in a group match. Diego Maradona scored his 34th and final international goal, famously running towards the television cameras after scoring.
Greece
- Victory against Nigeria made Greece the first side to come from a goal down to win a match at the 2010 World Cup.
- Two of the three goals conceded by Greece so far have come from set pieces.
- The Greeks took only six shots against South Korea but had 27 attempts on goal against Nigeria, 11 of which were on target.
Argentina
- The Albiceleste have won their last seven matches, their best run since 1998. They have won 10 of their last 11 games, with the only slip-up a 2-1 friendly defeat to Spain last November.
- Argentina have not conceded more than one goal in a World Cup game since the 2-1 exit to the Dutch at France '98.
- They have won only one of their last seven World Cup games against European opposition, excluding penalty shoot-outs.
- The six strikers selected by Diego Maradona have scored 170 club goals in the past 12 months.
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)
Assistants: Rafael Ilyasov (Uzbekistan) and Bakhadyr Kochkarov (Kyrgyzstan)
Fourth official: Peter O'Leary (New Zealand)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/matches/match_36/default.stm
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should be a cake walk for argentina. I reckon 3-0
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just driving out to polokwane for this game. bout 20 argies started singing in the service station when we stopped for lunch. Good times.
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"The six strikers selected by Diego Maradona have scored 170 club goals in the past 12 months." Tevez and Higuain likely to be on the bench. Too much! Most countries would die to have one of their strikers.Manbeast2010-06-23 01:05:23
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The only ever stand out problem for the Greeks, they are too lazy. Amazing speed some of their mid fielders, but just to damn lazy.
We will never fully decide who has won the football.
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just found our seats. This stadium is f**kin cool. Argies going nuts already.
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There really is some nonsense going on in this game.
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The Greek Keeper is having a Paston ...
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0-0 at half time. Greek keeper having a blinder. Apart from that they are close to getting raped.
Three for me, and two for them.
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Oh look, finally a goal. I haven't been watching - has it been a good game? Every time I flick over it looks like the Argies aren't trying and Greece have nothing to offer, but then again I've hardly seen much of it.
Edit: And then I read everyone's comments and it sounds like the keeper is the difference. Reading is good.
Footpaul2010-06-23 08:10:47
Edit: And then I read everyone's comments and it sounds like the keeper is the difference. Reading is good.
Footpaul2010-06-23 08:10:47
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It's been a terrible game. Greece are terrible to watch.
Three for me, and two for them.
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It's been a terrible game. Greece are terrible to watch.
They're not renowned for their exciting play, are they! I think South Korea are more worthy of the second round. Or Nigeria...
Footpaul2010-06-23 08:12:37
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2-0 Argies. Palmero scored after brilliant play from Messi.
Three for me, and two for them.
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I hope Argentina go all the way just so we are treated to the sight of Maradona for as long as possible. He really is the most fascinatingly strange little man.
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I hope Argentina go all the way just so we are treated to the sight of Maradona for as long as possible. He really is the most fascinatingly strange little man.
If they win, people will get to see his strange little penis too, as he said he will run through the streets of San Telmo nekkid.
Cosimo2010-06-23 10:28:34I like tautologies because I like them.
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To be honest, Maradona deserved credit for playing Messi in this game - many a manager would have rested his best player in a meaningless game to save him for the latter stages. But Diego thought - the world wants to see Messi - and he played him. Well done.
And good riddance to the Greeks, stoked they didn't accidentally stumble into the second round. Awful team to watch.
And good riddance to the Greeks, stoked they didn't accidentally stumble into the second round. Awful team to watch.
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If they win, people will get to see his strange little penis too, as he said he will run through the streets of San Telmo nekkid.
I know I shouldn't ask this, but, um, how do you know he has a strange.... oh never mind.....
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I hope Argentina go all the way just so we are treated to the sight of Maradona for as long as possible. He really is the most fascinatingly strange little man.
He was a genius on the park and he's a complete lunatic off it. Marvellous 
Apparently I'm apathetic, but I couldn't care less.
"Being a Partick Thistle fan sets you apart. It means youre a free thinker. It also means your team has no money." Tim Luckhurst, The Independent, 4th December 2003
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The thing i have grown to like about Maradona's Argentina is their team spirit. It's evident before every match and usually after it too. The players obviously worship Maradona and he loves all the players. They seem to be very together and this will work for them in the knockout stages.
Three for me, and two for them.
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Mainly watched the Korea-Nigeria game as I wanted to see Nigeria go through. But everytime I flicked over, was amazed at the speed of the Argentinian game. They'd get the ball start ping passes around, then Messi or someone would bolt past a Greek with the ball at their feet.
Then I'd switch back to the other game, and it was like watching a game in slow motion for minute while I adjusted.
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I hope Argentina go all the way just so we are treated to the sight of Maradona for as long as possible. He really is the most fascinatingly strange little man.
He was a genius on the park and he's a complete lunatic off it. Marvellous
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