Preview: Argentina vs. Honduras - prediction, team news, lineups

The match will provide crucial preparation for the South American side ahead of the forthcoming winter World Cup in Qatar.

Match preview

Having comfortably qualified for their 13th successive World Cup appearance by finishing second behind Brazil with 39 points from 17 matches in the CONMEBOL section of qualifying, Argentina will be hopeful of competing in the latter stages of football's biggest tournament.

La Albiceleste have not lifted the Jules Rimet trophy since triumphing in Mexico in 1986, although they have twice lost in the final to Germany since then, most recently after extra-time in Brazil in 2014.

Given that Lionel Messi turned 35 earlier this year, it could be one of the greatest footballers of all time's last opportunity to follow in Diego Maradona's footsteps and captain his nation to glory on the world stage.

With Lionel Scaloni at the helm, there is little doubt that they are a more effective unit than at perhaps any point during Messi's playing career, having triumphed at the Copa America last summer before beating Euro 2020 winners Italy 3-0 at Wembley Stadium in the Cup of Champions in June.

Having been drawn alongside Poland, Mexico and Saudi Arabia in Group C, Scaloni will be ultra confident of topping the group and reaching the knockout stages, and from there serious momentum could be built.

Honduras, on the other hand, suffered a dismal qualifying process, finishing bottom of the CONCACAF section with only four points from 14 matches.

For a nation which has qualified for two of the previous three World Cup tournaments, albeit only one other in their history when reaching the 1982 World Cup in Spain, that poor return represented a serious comedown.

It was no surprise to see Hernan Gomez's brief reign come to an end in late March, then, with Diego Vasquez chosen as his permanent successor after an initial interim period. The 51-year-old has repaid the faith shown in him with two wins from three matches so far, including an impressive 2-1 win over Canada, who have qualified for their first World Cup in 36 years.

Born in San Martin, Argentina, Vasquez will be determined to see his side remain competitive against his country of birth in Florida on Friday, as he looks to build a new era at Honduras and make them a more resolute team once again.

Argentina International Friendlies form:

W

Argentina form (all competitions):

W

W

W

D

W

W

Honduras International Friendlies form:

Honduras form (all competitions):

D

L

L

W

L

W

Team News

Argentina have been rocked by visa issues preventing Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez travelling from England to the United States, with the defensive duo facing a race against time to be included in the squad against Honduras.

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the US embassy in England has been closed, meaning the pair have had to fly home to Argentina and process their applications from there instead.

Nicolas Otamendi is likely to start at the heart of the defence in any case, with Udinese's Nehuen Perez primed to make his international debut should Romero or Martinez not be considered from the outset.

Likewise, Benfica's Enzo Fernandez and Atlanta United's Thiago Almada will hope to receive their first caps at some point during the clash, but Scaloni will not want to tinker too significantly given that this is Argentina's penultimate match before the World Cup begins.

Honduras, meanwhile, have named five uncapped players in their squad, including Minnesota United midfielder Joseph Rosales.

Of the starting XI which defeated Canada 2-1 in June, only Kevin Lopez and Rubilio Castillo have not made the trip to Florida. Vasquez used a 4-4-2 formation in that match, so he is likely to bring an extra defender or midfielder into the side to avoid being too open against a nation containing several supreme attacking talents.

Argentina possible starting lineup:

Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso; Messi, Martinez, Di Maria

Honduras possible starting lineup:

Lopez; Pereira, Maldonado, Melendez, Elvir; Benavides, Flores, Arriaga; Rivas, Quito, Palma

We say: Argentina 3-0 Honduras

We expect Argentina to be far too strong for Honduras, who endured a dreadful World Cup qualifying campaign.

La Albiceleste are a more solid unit under Scaloni, and Messi will want to continue his supreme form for Paris Saint-Germain into his nation's upcoming friendlies.

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