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Although the win was secured and the star man got his World Cup goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina, it’s fair to say Argentina didn’t cement themselves as favourites with the way they played in their opener. Nevertheless, a win is a win, and for this match against the unfancied Iranians they’ll most likely take a slightly more direct route to what the fans will hope turns out to be an easy victory and a spot in the second round. Argentina are expected recall Gonzalo Higuain as part of a 4-3-3, with Fernando Gago also in line for a start and Maxi Rodriguez and Hugo Campagnaro likely to miss out, while Javier Mascherano will become the 4th Argentinian to win a 100th cap. It looks like Iran will stick with the side that drew with Nigeria, with the wonderfully names Reza Ghoochannejhad leading the line.

For the other two sides in Group F tonight is about keeping the dream alive with some kind of positive results, and while Nigeria are a point better off than their opponents tonight it’s fair to say the Africans probably don’t want to gamble on being able to beat Argentina to make the next stage of the tournament, and will therefore look for the victory here. Bosnia and Herzegovina are arguably the next-best team in the group after Messi and co, but they have the pressure of having no points, and that will make getting the victory they need a much tougher prospect this evening. for the Super Eagles Godfrey Oboabona is injured and Peter Odemwingie could be added to the attack in an attempt to improve creativity, while Bosnia and Herzegovina boss Safet Susic must wait to check the fitness of Emir Spahic and Sejad Salihovic before deciding on his starting eleven.

If any team did outline their potential as possible winners of this competition in the first round of matches it was Germany, who demolished Portugal and kept a clean sheet at the same time, and now they will surely seek to secure qualification against Ghana and probably rotate the team in their last match, although that is a tactic that has proved problematic in the past. Mats Hummels is struggling with a bruised thigh for Germany, while Ghana’s Michael Essien has returned to full training, and Kevin-Prince Boateng could come into the starting line-up after impressing as a sub versus the US in their opener.