For starters, Diego Maradona has quite an interesting conundrum.  He has six of the top players in the world at his disposal up front. In this quick analysis, we'll take a look at what Argentina will probably do against Nigeria- starting from the front.

In the past month the position up front has changed from Gonzalo Higuain to Diego Milito and back due to form and injury.   Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback said that he would not offer up personal marking to Lionel Messi. 

That strategy would be immediately neutralized as Argentina would counter with Angel Di Maria pushing towards the middle or Messi dropping back.   This would allow for Messi to become that metronome that they would need that could help Verón stay back and better distribute the ball into the Argentine offensive third.  Messi would make that perfect link up in order to keep Higuaín and possibly Tevez near the box. 

Such a solution would open up the field for Higuain and Tevez to cause mayhem in the area and for Angel Di Maria and even Juan Sebastian Veron to be a lethal threat for Maradona.  Di Maria could be key in this match up coming from the left wing. 

Expect Nigeria to step out on the pitch in a 4-4-1-1.  They will try to do what they can to clog up the middle and disrupt passing lanes for the Albiceleste.   At the same time, Roland Andersson, Largerback's assistant, mentioned that the Super Eagles will have to go out and attack Argentina.  Their biggest weakness is their backline, which has been suspect at best throughout the qualifiers.   

The Nigerian press are emphasiziing a more defensive tactic on the part of the Super Eagles.  These are the moments when a player like John Obi Mikel will be sorely missed.  
The Chelsea midfielder would offer Lagerback a chance to be able to destroy as well as create in an area that is in dire need of some stability.

In the past they have played variations of the 4-5-1 and have been able to generate some type of offense and at the same time trying to cover their backs.   But with the loss of Mikel Obi they will try to be able to have players that can stay back and reduce space, but be able to move quickly on the counter attack.  

  Check out odds

Probables

ARGENTINA:  Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar-NED), Martín De Michelis (Bayern Munich-GER), Walter Samuel (Inter-ITA), Gabriel Heinze (Marseille-FRA); Jonás Gutiérrez (Newcastle-ENG), Juan Sebatstían Verón (Estudiantes), Javier Mascherano (Liverpool-ENG), Ángel Di María (Benfica-POR); Lionel Messi (Barcelona-ESP), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City-ENG), Gonzalo Higuaín (Real Madrid-ESP)


NIGERIA: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel-Aviv-ISR),  Yusuf Mohamed (Al Hilal-KSA), Onyekachi Apam (Nice-FRA), Danny Shittu (Bolton-ENG), Dixon Etuhu (Fulham-ENG);  Sani Kaita (Alania Vladikavkaz-RUS), Victor Obinna (Málaga-ESP), Chinedu Obasi (Hoffenheim-GER), Peter Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow-RUS), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth-ENG), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg-GER)