South American World Cup Qualifiers Preview

Uruguay - Paraguay South American group leaders Paraguay travel to Montevideo to take on Uruguay at the intimidating Centenario stadium. A victory would practically seal Paraguay a spot in their fourth successive World Cup, but it won't be easy as the Uruguayans are highly motivated for the match and will be disappointed with anything less than the three points. Uruguay find themselves in fifth position, but a victory over Paraguay should put them in a good position to qualify for their first World Cup since 2002. The two-time world champions count with a strong squad, but have been very inconsistent under Oscar Tabarez. In the first round of the qualifiers, Uruguay fell to a 1-0 loss to Paraguay in Asuncion, and they will be hoping to avenge that narrow defeat. The likes of Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez will hope to get on the score-sheet in perhaps Uruguay's most important match of the qualifiers. Confrontations between both teams are generally extremely tight, and this encounter is unlikely to be the exception. Uruguay are well aware that they will be facing an extremely difficult side, but their offensive power should give them results. Expect a nail-biting clash.Uruguay 1-0 Paraguay Colombia - Bolivia Colombia are in much need of the three points at home to Bolivia on Saturday. With only two wins in ten matches of the qualifiers it is no wonder the Colombians are in seventh position on the standings. They have struggled to find their feet in their campaign, and are the lowest scoring team with only four goals. But against Bolivia they will have a great opportunity to put this behind them as they hope to pick up a comprehensive victory that will keep their World Cup dream alive. River Plate striker Radamel Falcao Garcia has yet to score an official goal with the Colombian national team, and will be desperate to get on the score-sheet for the first time. Bolivia have also been in poor form in the qualifiers, and a sixth defeat on Saturday will surely put an end to their World Cup aspirations. But the Bolivians are undefeated in their last three games, and are confident in their chances of picking up at least a point in Bogota. Evo Morales, the president of the nation, recently affirmed that if Bolivia defeat Colombia in Bogota and follow that up with a win over Argentina in La Paz they will be "a step away" from South Africa. Time will tell. Colombia 2-0 Bolivia Peru - Chile Peru find themselves rock-bottom of the South American World Cup qualifying group, and will need to claim the three points against Chile in order to remain with an outside chance of qualification. Internal problems with the Peruvian soccer association and the government have greatly affected the side, and they know that against Chile it will be their last opportunity. A victory in the "derby of the Pacific" could motivate the Peruvians for the remainder of their matches, but Jose 'Chemo' del Solar will be unable to count with the services of Hamburg striker Paulo Guerrero, who is suspended. Once again Chemo has refused to select Claudio Pizarro and Jefferson Farfan, who in 2007 threw a party with plenty of women and alcohol when on international duty. Chile, on the other hand, have been in good form in the qualifiers and a victory over Peru would steer them closer towards their first World Cup appearance since 1998. Marcelo Bielsa has assembled a formidable unit and Chile are more than capable of picking up their third victory on the road. There's definitely a hostile climate before the big game, after an exchange of words between both sets of teams. When both teams met in an identical 2006 World Cup qualifier in Lima, the Chilean bus was pelted with stones when it arrived at the stadium. Prepare yourselves for a cracker of a match. Peru 2-2 Chile