Argentina and Germany will battle it out for the biggest prize in football on Sunday when they meet at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium in the World Cup final.

It will be the third time that these two footballing giants have contested a World Cup final, with Argentina winning in 1986 and Germany claiming revenge four years later - the last time that each team lifted the trophy.

Joachim Low's side have been installed as the favourites following their 7-1 humiliation of hosts Brazil in the last four, which was the biggest semi-final victory in the history of the competition.

The Europeans will also benefit from having an extra day of rest, having booked their place in the tournament showpiece 24 hours before Argentina needed a penalty shootout to overcome Netherlands in Sao Paulo.

Javier Mascherano has revealed that he 'stretched his anus' in making a match-saving tackle on Arjen Robben that helped the South Americans reach the final, but is expected to be fit to start this weekend.

Alejandro Sabella has a choice to make between Gonzalo Higuain and Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero, who returned from a muscle strain as a substitute in the semi-final, as his lone striker.

Lionel Messi is likely to again be given a free role in the Argentine attack, and could be joined in the starting XI by Angel di Maria, who is "training at 80%" as he recovers from the thigh injury that ruled him out against the Dutch, with Enzo Perez the most probable player to be sacrificed.

Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels is Germany's main injury doubt, having been taken off at half time in the thrashing of the Selecao with a knee injury that has since been found to be tendonitis.

Arsenal centre-back Per Mertesacker is on standby, and his Gunners teammate Mesut Ozil should get the nod over Chelsea forward Andre Schurrle, whom Low prefers to use in an impact substitute role.

Schurrle scored two of Germany's seven against Brazil off the bench, with Toni Kroos another to bag a brace and Sami Khedira, Thomas Muller and now all-time World Cup top scorer Miroslav Klose also netting.

Muller and Messi are still in contention for the Golden Boot. Colombia's James Rodriguez currently leads the way with six strikes, which is one more than Muller and two more than Messi.

Recent form

Germany: WWDWDW

Argentina: DWDWWW

Possible starting lineups

Germany: Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Hummels, Howedes; Schweinsteiger, Khedira; Ozil, Kroos, Muller; Klose

Argentina: Romero; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Garay, Rojo; Mascherano, Biglia, Di Maria; Lavezzi, Messi, Higuain

Sports Mole says: 3-1