Podolski has a thigh injury and will face a late fitness test before kick-off. If Podolski doesn’t make it, his place is set to be taken by Stefan Kiessling as Brazilian born Cacau is definitely sidelined with an abdominal injury.

Otherwise, there are likely to be no changes for Loew’s side from the one that comprehensively beat England in the last round.

Argentina boss Diego Maradona is hopeful that playmaker Lionel Messi has sufficiently recovered from a virus to start this match.

Walter Samuel has overcome his injury and will start at centre half with Nicolas Burdisso the man most likely to make way.

Also back in contention is veteran Juan Sebastian Veron, but Maxi Rodriguez looks set to keep his place in the centre of midfield. Veron may have to be content with a place on the bench.

KICK-OFF: SATURDAY JULY 3rd 15:00 GMT

LATEST ARGENTINA v GERMANY ODDS AND BETTING

Defender Walter Samuel has returned from a thigh strain, but may not be risked. Also likely to be rested are left back Gabriel Heinze and midfielder Javier Mascherano, both of whom are one yellow card away from suspension.

Definitely out for Diego Maradona’s side is Jonas Gutierrez, who is suspended.

Strikers Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain may also be rested, with Diego Milito and Sergio Aguero taking their places upfront.

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel is unlikely to change the starting XI that beat Nigeria last time out. This means another start for Dimitrios Salpingidis who will partner Theofanis Gekas in attack.

KICK-OFF: TUESDAY JUNE 22nd 19:30 GMT

LATEST GREECE v ARGENTINA ODDS AND BETTING

Liverpool midfielder Maxi Rodriguez is the man most likely to replace the former Chelsea and Man United veteran.

Despite a poor showing at full back, Jonas Gutierrez is set to keep his place at left back.

South Korea’s Huh Jung-Moo will bring Lee Dong-Gook back into the starting XI after the striker missed the opening match with a thigh strain.

Dong-Gook is likely to start upfront on his own in a 4-5-1 formation.

Jung Song-ryong will remain in goal after Huh dropped first choice keeper Lee Woon-jae for the match against Greece.

KICK-OFF: THURSDAY JUNE 17th 12:30 GMT

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Serie A winners and Champions League finalists Esteban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti have been left out of the squad, as has Gabriel Milito. However, there are places for striker Martin Palermo and Newcastle United’s Fabricio Coloccini.

COMPLETE ARGENTINA WORLD CUP SQUAD FOR 2010

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon)

Defenders: Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Olympique Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle), Juan Manuel Insaurralde (Newell’s Old Boys), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garce (Colon)

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Sebastian Blanco (Lanus), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Jesus Datolo (Olympiacos), Jose Sosa (Estudiantes), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Liverpool), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Juan Mercier (Argentinos Juniors), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Javier Pastore (Palermo)

Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli).

LATEST ARGENTINA WORLD CUP ODDS AND BETS

ARGENTINA TO WIN THE WORLD CUP : 11.0 at 888 Sport – Click to bet

ARGENTINA TO WIN GROUP B : 1.50 at Stan James and Paddy Power

ARGENTINA WORLD CUP BETTING TIPS

Honestly, I haven’t got a clue. Yeah, I know, that’s not very good for a post supposed to be about Argentina world cup tips, but with Diego Maradona in charge, can you honestly say you can predict how Argentina will fare at South Africa 2010.

Let’s look at some stats – there are conflicting reports of the number of players Maradona has used in his time as Argentina manager, with The Daily Mail putting it as high as 78. Whatever the real number, it’s far, far too many and is certainly one of the reasons Argentina struggled to qualify for World Cup 2010.

There is no chance of any consistency or even developing the  international squad mentality necessary to win the big prizes when you use that many players.

But then again, this is Argentina we are talking about and they do still have some outstanding talent capable of doing well despite their coach, rather than because of him.

ARGENTINA TOP BETTING TIPS

I’m going to cop out of this one and suggest two bets you don’t make. Firstly, despite being clearly the world’s best player, don’t back Lionel Messi to be top goalscorer.

Firstly, because he is forced into a different role for Argentina than the one he plays for Barcelona, he got only 4 for Argentina in qualifying (they play 18 matches).

Secondly, Argentina’s Group also contains the likes of Greece and Nigeria, both of whom are well capable of keeping better teams down to the odd goal.

Secondly, I wouldn’t back Argentina to win it. But anywhere in between, well, you never know. My colleague here at World Cup Now, Nick Lewis, thinks Argentina will put England out in the quarter finals. Me, I just don’t know.

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