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TEAM NEWS: Messi, Aguero, Higuaín start: Argentina v Ecuador

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Buenos Aires (Sporting Alert) — Lionel Messi and Argentina will look to take over the lead at the top of the World Cup qualification table in South America with a win over Ecuador at Estadio Monumental on Saturday.

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Argentina are a point behind Uruguay and Venezuela, who played to a 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday and will for the former World Cup champions would see them moving to the top on 10 points.

After a busy season of rivalry, Messi and Gonzalo Higuaín will now join forces on the same side for Argentina.

Manchester City top striker Sergio Aguero will join the Barcelona and Real Madrid stars in the attack.

The trio have combined for an impressive 129 goals between them for their respective clubs this past season and the fans, who weren’t too keen on watching the national side’s last home outing have decided to come back on the team’s side.

“The last game we played at home, this didn’t happen”, Messi said, who scored a hat-trick in the 3-0 friendly win over Switzerland. “But we will only get the fans to come closer if we play well and win.”

Angel Di María, Javier Mascherano and Pablo Zabaleta are also included in the starting line-up.

Meanwhile Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia is amongst the starters for Ecuador, who themselves will look to jump into position with a win, believes Argentina will be tough to beat at home, especially with the form Messi is on.

“They have the best player of the entire world,” Valencia, referring to Messi, said.

“We have to stay calm and be intelligent if we want to rescue a good result.

“The key for us in these qualifiers will be winning at home and trying to catch some points as visitors.”

Argentina vs Ecuador

Argentina: Romero, Zabaleta, Fernandez, Garay, Clemente Rodriguez, Mascherano, Di Maria, Gago, Messi, Higuain, Aguero
Subs: Orion, Rojo, Desabato, Sosa, Maximiliano Rodriguez, Matias Rodriguez, Guinazu, Brana, Lavezzi, Campagnaro, Andujar

Ecuador: Dominguez, Achilier, Guagua, Campos, Walter Ayovi, Valencia, Quinonez, Noboa, Saritama, Suarez, Benitez
Subs: Banguera, Erazo, Paredes, Minda, Ibarra, Montero, Castillo, Espinoza, Jaime Ayovi, Calderon, Bone

Referee: Victor Hugo Rivera (Peru)

Big Clash: Arsenal v Manchester City Team News

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LONDON (Sporting Alert) — When Arsenal and Manchester City face off in the Barclays Premier League at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, both teams will be gunning for all three points – with Gunners manager Arsene Wenger saying a draw won’t help either side.

“Both teams are in the same situation – a draw is not good enough,” Wenger said on Arsenal.com.

“Man City could be eight points behind [Manchester] United at the start of the game. We will be in a situation where we want to win the game so it promises to be a very offensive match.

“In recent seasons, Man City came to Arsenal playing for the draw and I feel that this time both teams will go for the win.

“Man City have good potential and I believe personally that we are a different team now. We are more stable and it is a good opportunity to show it.”

He added: “Man City are in a situation where they will have to win. They are in a position as well where one point is not good enough and that is why it will be a very exciting game.

“It is a game where everybody will give absolutely everything.”

TEAM NEWS

In team news for Manchester City, striker Sergio Aguero is expected to be fit for the clash, but it is still uncertain as to whether he will start.

The Argentine international missed the last game because of a foot, but Mancini revealed that he will be back to face Arsenal.

Aguero’s fellow countryman Carlos Tevez, who only just returned to the side is again expected to start amongst  the substitutes for the contest, while defender Joleon Lescott (hip) is battle for a place.

For Arsenal, there are no fresh injury to report about with midfielder Jack Wilshere (ankle) hoping to return from a long wait on the sideline.

Arsenal v Manchester City Teams

Arsenal (squad): Szczesny, Sagna, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Gibbs, Song, Arteta, Rosicky, Gervinho, Walcott, van Persie, Fabianski Djourou, Santos, Jenkinson, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Benayoun, Chamakh.

Manchester City (squad): Hart, Pantilimon, Richards, Zabaleta, Lescott, Kompany, Savic, K Toure, Kolarov, Clichy, Nasri, Milner, Johnson, Pizarro, Y Toure, Barry, De Jong, Silva, Aguero, Balotelli, Dzeko, Tevez.