Lionel Messi believes the Beijing spirit will help Argentina beat leaders Paraguay as the World Cup qualifiers on Saturday.

The striker is optimistic after the Albicelestes' Olympic performance, and believes coach Alfio Basile will select a number of the young players who brought home gold from China.

"I hope we can achieve with the senior team what we did in China," he said.

"Over there we eliminated Brazil and that was nice for us and the fans, because of the way we won. Now we have the chance to continue showing that."

The Barcelona man is wary of Paraguay, though, as the Guaranies top the South American qualifying group with 13 points from six matches.

"They are in good form as they are leaders and we will have to be careful. But we have everything ready in attack, as there are the same players that won the gold," he added.

Argentina are second with 11 points, two behind Saturday's opposition, who have already beaten Brazil in this campaign.

Coach Gerardo Martino is waiting on the fitness of strike duo Roque Santa Cruz and Salvador Cabanas, but insists Paraguay will not hesitate to attack Basile's men.

"We will try to play as far up the pitch as possible and try to keep possession. Argentina are strong when they keep the ball for long periods," Martino said.

Striker Nelson Haedo Valdez, who could replace one of the crocked pair, believes the visitors have a chance of winning.

He said: "We respect Argentina, but that doesn't mean that we are going to defend. We have a team strong enough to beat them.

"A draw could be a good result, but we are more optimistic every day and we want to write our page in history and finish (the qualifying group) as winners."