Argentina v Brazil: Galacticos clash in glamour friendly

Another Brazil-based star, Diego Tardelli is benefiting from Dunga’s interest in players on home turf and is 13/2 to fire home first if he starts, as expected, in a pacy four-pronged attack alongside Neymar, Oscar (9/1 to hit home last) and Willian (5/1 to net anytime).

Brazil have certainly seemed to emerge from the cloud of their domestic disaster against Germany, with two recent wins over continental rivals Colombia and Ecuador. They will likely be a tougher unit to break down under former defensive midfielder Dunga, who has already overseen two consecutive clean sheets.

Argentina’s ace card, as always, will be the majestic Lionel Messi, who has been excelling once more alongside opposite number Neymar for Barcelona. The Catalan club’s superstar attacker has notched up six goals in seven La Liga appearances and is 6/1 to bag a brace or better to begin Martino’s reign in style.

He is also available at a tremendous 22/1 to hit a hat-trick, after putting three past the Samba Boys in the two teams’ last meeting.

Angel Di Maria (12/1 to net two or more) and Sergio Aguero (11/2 to open the scoring) are also rivalling Messi for most in-form La Albiceleste attacker, and will present a fearsome challenge to Brazil’s notoriously leaky defence.

Di Maria in particular has been mesmerising since his move to Manchester United, revelling in the adulation of the Old Trafford crowd. With Messi likely to be pegged back, it could be up to the man nicknamed ‘noodle’, to break down Brazil’s backline.

Gonzalo Higuain, meanwhile, is surprisingly yet to net for Napoli in Serie A this season, but the usually prolific poacher is great value at 6/1 to put his club troubles behind him and close the scoring in this match.

Whilst there is nothing tangible at stake in this battle of South America’s best, it will as always be packed with passion, and should also provide an enthralling early glimpse of two new eras still under construction.