How to contain two of the strongest attacks at the 2006 World Cup will be the main concern of the coaches when Argentina face bitter rivals England in a friendly in Geneva on Saturday.
Argentina coach Jose Pekerman may try a raw debutant in the defensive midfield position while Sven-Goran Eriksson is poised to further test Ledley King in the same role for England.
Martin Demichelis could win his first cap at the relatively mature age of 24 after shining as a holding midfielder for Bayern Munich this season.
If Demichelis plays he is likely to be supported by an experienced Argentine back line containing Javier Zanetti, Roberto Ayala, Walter Samuel and captain Juan Pablo Sorin.
Zanetti should win his 102nd cap after last playing in the Confederations Cup final against Brazil in Germany in June.
Juan Roman Riquelme should dictate the attacking moves from central midfield with Maxi Rodriguez to his right and Esteban Cambiasso on the left. All three will be looking to cement a place at their first World Cup.
There are doubts up front over the fitness of Hernan Crespo so Julio Cruz will hope for another chance after missing out in 2002.
With teenage prodigy Lionel Messi suspended, Javier Saviola and Carlos Tevez are competing for the role of support striker.
ERIKSSON OPTIONS
Tottenham Hotspur's King, who looks to have shrugged off a knee problem, impressed Eriksson in England's last qualifier against Poland last month in a role that frees Frank Lampard to press forward.
A central defender by trade, King would play in front of a strong back line where Eriksson has to choose between three top centre halves, Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell and John Terry.
For his form over the past two years, Terry is an obvious pick while Campbell looks to be back to his authoritative best after a prolonged spell of injuries. Significantly, the pair were Eriksson's first choice for last month's decisive qualifier against Austria.
Ferdinand, who came on as a substitute in that game after an injury to Campbell, has probably not done quite enough to convince the coach he has rediscovered top form.
However, as Terry's place at the World Cup is all but assured, Eriksson may want to see if Campbell and Ferdinand can repeat their excellent displays at the 2002 tournament.
With first-choice left back Ashley Cole out through injury, Eriksson must choose between Wayne Bridge of Chelsea, who has played only an hour's football since breaking an ankle in February, and West Ham United's Paul Konchesky, who has only played once for England.
If Eriksson decides to do without a holding midfielder, Joe Cole will probably keep his place on the left. David Beckham returns from a one-match ban to captain England for the 50th time.
Michael Owen, the scourge of Argentina in their last two meetings, winning the penalty that Beckham coverted for a 1-0 victory in the 2002 World Cup and scoring a wonder goal in 1998 that did not ultimately see England through, will almost certainly line up in attack with Wayne Rooney, a new threat for the South Americans.
Teams from:
Argentina: Roberto Abbondanzieri; Javier Zanetti, Roberto Ayala, Walter Samuel, Juan Pablo Sorin; Maxi Rodriguez, Martin Demichelis, Esteban Cambiasso; Juan Roman Riquelme; Javier Saviola, Hernan Crespo
England: Paul Robinson; Luke Young, Sol Campbell, John Terry, Wayne Bridge; David Beckham, Ledley King, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard; Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen.
Referee: Philippe Leuba (Switzerland)
(Additional reporting by Trevor Huggins)