Argentina lineup vs Venezuela: Predicted XI for Albiceleste's final home World Cup qualifier

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has the opportunity to hand starting berths to some of the nation’s talented youngsters when they host Venezuela in World Cup qualifying on Thursday night.

With qualification already safely secured, Argentina are playing for pride, and preparation ahead of the finals in North America next summer.

Scaloni’s tried-and-tested methods have worked brilliantly, but their two qualifiers this month offer a chance for the likes of Nico Paz and Franco Mastantuono to build up more experience in the Albiceleste shirt.

Four players could also win their first cap, with Claudio Echeverri the most well-known name of that quartet, having recently appeared for Manchester City, and now Bayer Leverkusen on loan.

At the opposite end of the scale, Lionel Messi is set to make his 194th cap, hoping for better fortunes than his Inter Miami side endured in the Leagues Cup final against Seattle Sounders last week.

Rodrigo De Paul has recently joined Messi in MLS, but that has had no effect on his selection, and Scaloni could start the midfielder again here.

There will be no Enzo Fernandez in the Argentina side for this international window, because he will be suspended for this one, and Scaloni has thought it is best to leave him at home.

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez is the only notable injury absentee, but it is somewhat surprising to see both Paulo Dybala and Matias Soule miss out, given their good form for Roma.

Argentina possible starting lineup:

E Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Almada; Messi, L Martinez, Paz