Awful away form continues to hinder Diego Maradona’s side

Ever since CONMEBOL first introduced their lengthy everyone-plays-everyone (twice!) World Cup qualifying system for France 1998, Argentina have coasted through - finishing first twice and joint-top on the other occasion.

This campaign, however, has been different, and yesterday’s 2-0 loss away to Ecuador leaves them just two points clear of their equator-straddling opponents in the final automatic qualifying place, with four games to go. Those include trips to Paraguay and Uruguay and a home clash with Brazil. Yikes.

The side who finish fifth meet the fourth-placed CONCACAF side in a play-off. That would usually be a limited nation like El Salvador but, thanks largely to Sven-Goran Eriksson earning his latest payoff, Mexico occupy that position.

Since arriving with the fanfare usually reserved for a Geordie Messiah last year, Diego Maradona hasn’t exactly

The best sports on the telebox tonight

According to Neil Warnock, cheering on your side when they have won a game is ‘arrogant’. That’s exactly what he branded victorious Bristol City fans visiting Selhurst Park at the weekend, and tonight he hopes to rile up the 20,000 ‘angry Robins fans’ at Ashton gate. The bookies put Bristol way ahead at 4/11 to reach the final, yet Warnock has never lost a play-off semi-final, making Palace’s odds of 9/4 mighty tempting.

Indian Premier League
Kolkata Knight Riders/ Delhi Daredevils (Setanta Sports 1, 3.30pm)

Championship Play-off Semi-final Second Leg
19:45 Bristol City v Crystal Palace Sky Sports 1 (19:30-22:00)