Argentina have a chance to claim top spot in Group D when they take on Poland in the World Cup on Wednesday

The tournament favourites in the eyes of many shocked the world when they fell to a defeat at the hands of Saudi Arabia in their opening bout in Qatar, but bounced back to earn an eventually comfortable 2-0 win against Mexico.

That three points puts them right on the tails of Poland, who overcame a matchday one goalless stutter against Mexico to see off Saudi Arabia and take an early lead in Group C.

Here’s all you need to know about a game that could prove defining for the group.

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Poland vs Argentina H2H results (All Time)

Current form (Last Five Games)

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Poland team news

Robert Lewandowski finally scored his first ever goal at a World Cup in Poland’s win over Saudi Arabia and will be called upon to add more to that tally if his nation are to beat Argentina.

Czeslaw Michniewicz opted to play Arkadiusz Milik alongside Lewandowski against Saudi Arabia, which seemed to do the trick in unlocking their talisman. Escaping the victory without any fresh injury concerns, expect them to proceed again with a similar setup.

Poland starting 11 (4-4-2): Szczesny; Cash, Glik, Kiwior, Bereszynski; Zielinski, Bielik, Krychowiak, Frankowski; Milik, Lewandowski

Bench: Jedrzejczek, Wieteska, Bednarek, D. Szymanski, Grosicki, Skorupski, Kaminski, Swiderski, Zurkowski, S. Szymanski, Zalewski, Grabara, Piatek, Gumny, Skoras

Argentina team news

Having heard that Kylian Mbappe had equalled his World Cup goal tally earlier in the day, Lionel Messi just had to score against Mexico to keep himself at the top of the tree. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner underwhelmed until scoring, but will not hope the goal can get his tournament underway properly.

Lionel Scaloni made several changes in Argentina’s second game, but they didn’t all seem to work as he’d hoped. Some more re-jigging might be required as he tries to figure out his stongest XI.

Argentina starting 11 (4-4-2): Martinez; Molina, Otamendi, Martinez, Acuna; Di Maria, De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Martinez

Bench: Armani, Foyth, Tagliafico, Paredes, Pezzella, Alvarez, Rulli, Romero, Palacios, Correa, Almada, Gomez, Dybala, Rodriguez, Montiel

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After a dismal showing in matchday one and a performance that wasn’t much better in matchday two, Argentina really need to pick up the pace on Wednesday.

With just how much star power they possess and their record coming into the tournament, it’s clear to see why so many had earmarked them to go all the way. They’ve been incredibly slow on the pitch so far, though, and Poland will know better than to leave themselves exposed to the threat of their attacking prowess.

Michniewicz’s side haven’t been brilliant either, but put in a mature display to break through Saudi Arabia and know that a win here would be huge for their knockout round hopes. That win won’t be an easy thing to obtain, though.

Scaloni’s men will finally kick into gear.

Prediction: Poland 1-2 Argentina