Argentina vs. Ecuador: Team News, Predicted Line-Ups, Live Stream & TV Info

Argentina will meet Ecuador at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on Tuesday evening, where Gerardo Martino's men are looking to complete their North American expedition with a 100 percent record.

La Albiceleste left something to be desired during their 2-0 victory over El Salvador this past weekend, but Ecuador's 1-0 defeat at the hands of Mexico will give Martino's side hopes of a second win.

Read on for all the essential viewing details ahead of the midweek tie, along with all the latest team news and preview of which players to keep an eye on.

Date: Wednesday, April 1

Time: 12:30 a.m. BST/7:30 p.m. ET (March 31)

Venue: MetLife Stadium, New Jersey

Live Stream: beIN Sports Play (U.S.)

TV Info: beIN Sports 16 (U.S.)

Team News

Captain Lionel Messi couldn't recover from a foot injury in time to lace up against El Salvador on the weekend, and it looks unlikely Martino's star striker will be ready to feature against Ecuador on Tuesday.

According to Spanish newspaper Sport, Martino says the foot swelling will be examined closer to kickoff, but it's unlikely the Barcelona ace will be risked for such a low-risk encounter:

One member of Martino's squad in jubilant form is Juventus talisman Carlos Tevez, who made a long-awaited return to Argentina's starting lineup this weekend after four years away.

He partnered fellow Serie A star Gonzalo Higuain in attack and was "overjoyed" to be back among his international team-mates, per Miles Chambers of Goal.com:

I was overjoyed, playing from the start is totally different to being brought off the bench. It definitely gives you more confidence. This game can be good for the team because plenty of our potential Copa America 2015 opponents play in such a closed-up manner. It requires patience to break the deadlock and we are on the right track.

We must continue to grow, but this is just the beginning and it was important for me personally to get more game-time for my country.

Messi, while a major one, looks to be Argentina's only major doubt for Tuesday's tie. Ecuador manager Gustavo Quinteros will have to do without Enner Valencia, while midfielder Jonny Uchuari is a doubt.

Per Cesar Hernandez of ESPN FC, West Ham United's Valencia trod on a broken teacup last week and could be out for the Hammers' Premier League tie against Arsenal this coming weekend:

Despite the 1-0 loss against Mexico, Quinteros had his positives to say of the outing, per Argentina newspaper Ole, via the Press Association (h/t Eurosport):

We'll try to get to the Copa America in much better form, but we mainly focus on the World Cup qualifiers. We have to organise ourselves defensively. We can correct this by working hard. In the Copa America we'll play matches similar to these two."

We are looking for a different direction and we need a long time training, several matches, a long time altogether. I liked the way we played against Mexico, as in several moments of the game the team played as I want - pushing forward and having good possession.

Predicted Formations

Argentina (4-2-2-2)

Nahuel Guzman; Pablo Zabaleta, Lucas Orban, Mateo Musacchio, Nicolas Otamendi; Javier Mascherano, Ever Banega; Federico Mancuello, Angel Di Maria; Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero

Ecuador (4-4-1-1)

Alexander Dominguez; Juan Carlos Paredes, Walter Ayovi, Frickson Erazo, Arturo Mina; Cristhian Noboa, Carlos Gruezo, Antonia Valencia, Jefferson Montero; Miller Bolanos; Felipe Caicedo

Key Players

The freak accident keeping Enner Valencia from participating on Tuesday may create something of a conundrum for Quinteros in deciding who partners Felipe Caicedo in attack.

Having started against Mexico, Emelec starlet Miller Bolanos may once again win the favour of his coach, with Jaime Ayovi and Fidel Martinez among the alternatives.

For Argentina, there is also a focus on improving the attack after spurning many of their opportunities in the win against El Salvador.

With Messi likely to be missing, Tevez, Higuain and possible starter Sergio Aguero will seek to ensure their captain's absence isn't noticeable with a more encouraging midweek performance.

Key Battle

Mateo Musacchio vs. Felipe Caicedo

Caicedo bears an incredible burden this week as he looks to tear down the Argentina walls that stood so firm over the weekend, with Mateo Musacchio a most impressive guardian.

That's not all the Villarreal centre-back did to impress, however; Argentine football writer Sam Kelly took note of his probing in attack:

Should Musacchio be caught out of position, Ecuador have the capacity to transition quickly up the field and unleash Caicedo as a counter-point.

With 15 goals in 54 international appearances, Espanyol figurehead Caicedo looks to be the brightest hope Ecuador have in breaching Argentina's lines, with he and Musacchio poised to revive a La Liga rivalry.