Few teams face a tougher challenge in their opening World Cup match than Nigeria - they have to contain Argentina's lethal pairing of Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain.

The 1986 World Cup was dominated by one particular player in Diego Maradona, and the controversial coach now has the chance to make history as manager of the Argentina national team 24 years later.

The 49-year-old has been in charge for less than two years and is regarded as a liability by many, although he is blessed with an excellent crop of attacking players.

It is mainly for this reason that La Albiceleste are currently 7/1 (Coral) on the outright market and they are also short favourites at 1/2 (888Sport) to win at Ellis Park Stadium on Saturday.

And although football is, after all, a team game and that Argentina only won eight of their 18 World Cup qualifying matches, there’s always a chance of victory when Messi is on the scene.

The Barcelona striker has scored a breathtaking 44 goals for the Catalan club this season and he’s a best price 4/1 (SkyBet) to break the deadlock against Nigeria.

And although Carlos Tevez (5/1 Ladbrokes) and Diego Milito (6/1 StanJames) have both enjoyed excellent seasons at club level, Gonzalo Higuain (5/1 Bet365) should get the nod alongside Messi in this opener.

However, Maradona's men were crushed 6-1 in Bolivia during qualifying and there are defensive frailties that Nigeria (15/2 Coral) will be looking to expose.

Super Eagles coach Lars Lagerback is the antithesis of Maradona, with the mild-mannered Swede having been in charge of his own national team for nine years before replacing Shuaibu Amodu very recently as manager.

Aiyegbeni Yakubu has plenty of international experience and is 12/1 (Bet365) to set his team off to a potentially stunning victory.