Pre-tournament favourites Argentina are gunning to win the Copa America for a record-equalling 15th time this summer.

They have reached the quarter-final stage of the tournament, where the FIFA-ranked world number four nation Colombia will be standing in their way on Friday in Vina del Mar.

Argentina

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La Albiceleste may have collected seven points from a possible nine to advance through to the last eight as winners of Group B, but there have been plenty of suggestions that all is not well in the camp.

Before the competition got underway, there was a worry among certain sections of the Argentine media and supporters that the defence would end up being the country's downfall.

Yet, having now played three games - two of which ended with clean sheets - it is the attackers that are providing head coach Gerardo Martino with a cause for concern.

The likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel di Maria managed to score just four goals in the group stages against Uruguay, Paraguay and Jamaica. With the greatest of respect to those three sides, with the talent that Argentina can boast, it was expected that they would score many more goals.

Much of the blame has landed at the feet of Martino, who some believe to be an overly negative tactician.

If recent speculation is true, the 52-year-old's future is on the line, with the Football Federation expecting the team to at least reach the final. With Colombia up next, then the possibility of a semi-final meeting with Brazil and then Chile in the final, it's going to be a tall order unless he can get Messi and co to produce the goods.

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Colombia

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If Argentina have offensive problems, they are nothing compared to Colombia's struggles in attack.

With James Rodriguez playing the lead role, Jose Pekerman's charges lit up last summer's World Cup in Brazil with the freedom and speed that they played with in the final third of the pitch.

More of the same was expected in Chile, but it has not happened. In truth, Los Cafeteros limped into the quarter-finals, having scored just one goal in three group matches. That came in a 1-0 win over the Brazilians, while there was a 1-0 loss to Venezuela and a dour 0-0 draw with Peru.

There are many theories behind the lack of goals, one of which centres around Radamel Falcao, who has shown the sort of form that convinced Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal to abandon a permanent move for his services.

Jose Mourinho may be keen to take the 29-year-old to Stamford Bridge, but many Colombian supporters have called for Pekerman to give Jackson Martinez the chance to start up front.

Since they were crowned Copa America champions in 2001, Colombia have failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals and it is likely that they will have to improve upon recent showings if they are to break that trend.

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Team News

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The clamour may be growing for Pekerman to drop Falcao, who has registered just one shot on target in his three outings at the tournament.

Following another quiet showing against Peru, the striker was substituted, but there have been reports that he will retain his place for this game.

Elsewhere, Edwin Valencia limped off in the same game, with his position in the midfield likely to be handed to 26-year-old Alexander Mejia.

As for Argentina, Aguero started the last outing against Jamaica on the bench, but the Manchester City frontman should return at the expense of Higuain.

However, having started that fixture, Aguero's club teammate Martin Demichelis is expected to drop out, with Nicolas Otamendi returning to the starting lineup.

Argentina possible starting lineup:
Romero; Rojo, Otamendi, Garay, Zabaleta; Biglia, Pastore, Mascherano; Di Maria, Aguero, Messi

Colombia possible starting lineup:
Ospina; Murillo, Zapata, Armero, Arias; Valencia, Sanchez, Rodriguez, Cuadrado, Gutierrez; Falcao

Head To Head

It would probably be fair to suggest that the Colombians do not enjoy coming up against their Argentine counterparts.

Of the previous 13 meetings between the two nations, Colombia have tasted victory on just two occasions, while there have been eight defeats inflicted during that time.

Overall, there have been 35 clashes, with Argentina leading 21-8, with six draws thrown into the bargain.

They last faced off in the Copa America four years ago, but it was not an encounter to remember as the game ended in a 0-0 draw.

We say: Argentina 0-0 Colombia

Both of these nations have struggled for goals so far and that could well continue on Friday. With that in mind, it would not be a surprise to see this encounter go through extra time and all the way to penalties. Of course, it will be a lottery from that point, but the Argentines may well edge the shootout.

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