The teams have won the World Cup seven times between them and have produced icons of the footballing world such as Diego Maradona and Pele.

Geographically they are neighbours and have a great deal in common ecomonically, culturally and socially but they are the fiercest of rivals when it comes to football.

Argentina lead the 10-team table with 11 points from five matches and Brazil are third with nine points and the top four qualify for the finals in Germany. The fifth-placed side has a chance to go through via a playoff.

During a week of fixtures which run Tuesday to Sunday, it is the Mineirao stadium clash between the two giants of South America which is capturing the attention of football lovers worldwide.

Whatever the competition, all be it on the club scene in the Libertadores Cup, or in international competitions, the intense rivalry between these two countries is extraordinary.

It is perhaps Argentina who have the most riding on this match having been in the shadow of Brazil since their fifth world title in the Far East two years ago. At that tournament, Argentina, considered one of the favourites, went out in the first round.

Coach Marcelo Bielsa has problems however. Andres D'Alessandro, Juan Roman Riquelme and Esteban Cambiasso all have injuries and central defender Robert Ayala of Valencia is suspended.

Bielsa will be relying on players such as Boca Juniors striker Carlos Tevez to do their best if they want to earn a prestigious victory.

Bielsa on Sunday named the final three players to his 21-man squad for the match.

Boca Juniors goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri was joined by his team-mate, defender Nicolas Burdisso while another home-based player, Luis Gonzalez of River Plate, was called up to join the midfield. Argentina fly to Brazil on Monday.

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has seen his side run into form following friendlies against France (0-0), a Catalonia selection (5-2) and Hungary (4-1).

The Brazilians however are not taking anything for granted. Real Madrid striker Ronaldo said: "We value the high standard of our opponents and this is Brazil's most important match of the year.

"We will have to remove the benefit of the doubt over our form by leaving the pitch with a good result."

Inter Milan striker Adriano said: "Argentina are always great rivals, great opponents and for that reason we no we are going to have difficulty in getting a good result.

"But the team is playing well, we have good spirit, and I think it will be a great match in the Mineirao."

Bolivia and Paraguay open the week of qualifiers literally on a highpoint at 3,600m above sea level at La Paz on Tuesday. Paraguay, coached by Anibal 'Mano' Ruiz of Uruguay, have been acclimatising in Sucre at 2,700m.

Bolivians and Paraguayans have played five times in La Paz in the history of World Cup qualifiers with a win for each team and three draws.

Also Tuesday in the border city of San Cristobal, surprise package Venezuela, so long a minor player on the continent but now in fourth spot, host Chile.

It was Venezuela who cost the job of Uruguay coach Juan Ramon Carrasco when they won 3-0 in Montevideo back in March. Carrasco was criticised for his attacking yet disorganised team and now Jorge Fossati makes his debut as the new coach at home to Peru, also on Tuesday.

Fossati will have at his disposal such talents as Alvaro Recoba, Alexander Lembo, Walter Pandiani and Javier Chevanton.

Ecuador and Colombia face up to each other in Quito on Wednesday with the visitors in particular having problems. Colombia had to leave out both Aston Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel from their plans because of knee problems and midfielder Freddy 'Totono' Grisale because of a groin injury.

Lecce midfielder Jorge Bolano is also out injured and Galatasaray keeper Farid Mondragon was not available with a right shoulder injury.

The busy period continues at the weekend with another round of matches. Ecuador host Bolivia on Saturday, and then four fixtures are on Sunday - Argentina versus Paraguay, Peru versus Venezuela, Colombia versus Uruguay and Chile versus Brazil.