Argentina will face a stronger, fitter and hungrier Germany [Images] when they meet for the third time in 18 months in Friday's World Cup quarter-final in Berlin.

Captain Michael Ballack [Images], fullback Philipp Lahm and striker Miroslav Klose [Images] all missed the two 2-2 draws in 2005, one in a Duesseldorf friendly and the other in the Confederations Cup.

The in-form trio will be back in the starting lineup at the Olympiastadion and the skipper is warning Argentina they will not be the favourites this time round.

"We were the outsiders in those two meetings last year," Ballack told a news conference on Thursday. "You can't say that now.

"In those games we were just happy to be competing on the same stage with a team like Argentina but now our expectations are much higher.

"We're far hungrier and we want to play three more games at this World Cup. The chances are 60-40 in our favour."

Ballack was missing again for the opening match at this World Cup and Germany looked nervous without him as they before eventually winning 4-2 against Costa Rica.

Since the captain's return they have not conceded a goal in wins over Poland, Ecuador and Sweden with Germans starting to believe the momentum might carry them all the way to the final.

"We want to be realistic," Ballack said. "But why shouldn't beating Argentina be realistic?

"This is a match between two teams who have played convincing and entertaining football. The beauty of it is that whatever happens it's going to be an exciting game."

Ballack picked up a slight foot injury in the Sweden game but has fully recovered and coach Juergen Klinsmann can name his first choice team.

"It was a little knock but it's back in working order," Ballack said.