Argentina take on Mexico in Soccer City on Sunday hoping history repeats itself and their World Cup bandwagon keeps on rolling. The two sides met at the same stage of the last World Cup in Germany, with Argentina progressing 2-1 thanks to a Maxi Rodriguez goal in extra-time.

This time around, Diego Maradona's side - who only just limped into the finals - have confounded their pre-tournament critics and look one of the teams to beat after a perfect group qualification campaign.

Maradona's side started off with an opening 1-0 win over Nigeria before thumping South Korea 4-1 and then finishing off with a comprehensive 2-0 victory over Greece to confirm their qualification as group leaders.

While world footballer of the year Lionel Messi has failed to find the net, Argentina's strength in depth is shown by defenders Gabriel Heinze and Martin Demichelis notching, while Gonzalo Higuain hit a hat-trick against the Koreans.

But it will be tough against a Mexican side who have shown their own prowess in Group A qualification.

After being held to a 1-1 draw with hosts South Africa, Javier Aguirre's side then registered a decisive 2-0 result against self-imploding France.

While the North Americans then suffered a 1-0 reverse against South American opposition Uruguay in their last game, Aguirre believed his side had lacked energy in that game and he is expecting more from his team.

Maradona is set to ring the changes after resting several key players against Greece last time.

Captain Javier Mascherano and strikers Carlos Tevez and Higuain are set to return to the side, as are Heinze, Walter Samuel and Jonas Gutierrez, who was suspended last time.

Juan Sebastian Veron, who missed the win over South Korea with a calf injury, returned to the side against Greece and could retain his place at the expense of Rodriguez.

Meanwhile, Mexico are hoping to have striker Carlos Vela fit for the clash.

The Arsenal youngster had to go off after half an hour of the 2-0 win over France after feeling a sharp hamstring pain.

Doctors believed the injury would require 10 days on the sidelines which should mean he is able to feature against the Argentinians.

Defender Efrain Juarez also comes back into contention after missing the Uruguay defeat following a pair of bookings.

Verdict: Argentina 2 Mexico 1