He is one of three changes while the Irish make one.
Matera was banned for one game after collecting a red card in the Rugby Championship against South Africa in September and sat out last weekend's 50-18 win over Italy in Udine in the first of Argentina's three November internationals.
The return of the 31-year-old, who has 107 caps, means a shuffle in the loose forward trio with Juan Martin Gonzalez switching from the blind side to openside in place of Santiago Grondona.
Guido Petti comes in for Franco Molina in the second row and Matias Moroni replaces Matias Orlando at centre.
Coach Felipe Contepomi told a press conference the changes were as a result of competition in training this week.
Argentina take on an Ireland side beaten last Friday by the All Blacks in their first home defeat since the 2021 Six Nations.
The 23-13 loss was the back-to-back Six Nations champions' third defeat in five games but coach Andy Farrell has made just one change. Robbie Henshaw replaces Bundee Aki at centre, where he will partner Garry Ringrose.
"It's been a tricky few days. We reviewed the game yesterday and started to turn the page and look forward to this Friday, because it's another huge challenge," captain Caelan Doris said.
Cian Healy could draw level with Brian O'Driscoll atop Ireland's rugby appearance list after being named among the replacement. If he comes off the bench the 37-year-old will win his 133rd cap having made his debut against Australia in 2009.
IRELAND: 15-Hugo Keenan, 14-Mack Hansen, 13-Garry Ringrose, 12-Robbie Henshaw, 11-James Lowe, 10-Jack Crowley, 9-Jamison Gibson-Park, 8-Caelan Doris (capt), 7-Josh van der Flier, 6-Tadhg Beirne, 5-James Ryan, 4-Joe McCarthy, 3-Finlay Bealham, 2-Ronan Kelleher, 1-Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16-Rob Herring, 17-Cian Healy, 18-Thomas Clarkson, 19-Ryan Baird, 20-Peter O'Mahony, 21-Craig Casey, 22-Sam Prendergast, 23-Jamie Osborne.Â
ARGENTINA: 15-Juan Cruz Mallia, 14-Rodrigo Isgro, 13-Lucio Cinti, 12-Matias Moroni, 11-Bautista Delguy, 10-Tomas Albornoz, 9-Gonzalo Bertranou, 8-Joaquin Oviedo, 7-Juan Martin Gonzalez, 6-Pablo Matera, 5-Pedro Rubiolo, 4-Guido Petti, 3-Joel Sclavi, 2-Julian Montoya (capt), 1-Thomas Gallo.
Replacements: 16-Ignacio Ruiz, 17-Ignacio Calles, 18-Francisco Gomez Kodela, 19-Franco Molina, 20-Santiago Grondona, 21-Gonzalo Garcia, 22-Santiago Carreras, 23-Justo Piccardo.
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