How Argentina could line up against Colombia

Argentina will get their Copa America campaign underway when they take on Colombia at the Itaipava Arena in Salvador on Saturday night.

Lionel Scaloni's side head into the tournament as second favourites to lift the trophy behind hosts Brazil, but to do so they must overcome some recent heartbreak in the latter stages of major competitions.

La Albiceleste have lost in the last two Copa America finals and finished as runners-up in four of the last five editions, notably leaving Lionel Messi still without a senior trophy at international level.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Scaloni could set his side up for their opening contest of the 2019 edition.

Some of the big names who went through enforced sabbaticals after the World Cup have now returned to the Argentina fold, including all-time leading scorer Messi.

The Barcelona icon will resume his bid for international glory at this tournament and is expected to start in the number 10 role behind Sergio Aguero, who is likely to hold off the challenge of Lautaro Martinez despite the latter scoring twice off the bench against Nicaragua.

Argentina are blessed with a wealth of attacking talent, but the likes of Paulo Dybala and Angel di Maria may be forced to settle for a place on the bench in this opener.

Giovani Lo Celso, who has been heavily linked with Tottenham Hotspur in recent weeks, looks set to be handed a starting role, while Watford's Roberto Pereyra could edge out Matias Suarez on the opposite side.

Guido Rodriguez appears to have worked his way into Scaloni's thinking, and Marcos Acuna is another who looks set to start despite the presence of Ajax full-back Nicolas Tagliafico.