Peru welcome regional neighbours Colombia to Lima's Estadio Nacional on Thursday evening for their FIFA World Cup 2022 qualification clash.
Both of these sides have so far fallen short of the mark during their first few qualification games and will both be looking to rejuvenate their respective campaigns on Thursday.
Match preview
© Reuters
After drawing their first qualifier 2-2 against Paraguay, Peru slumped to losses against Brazil, Chile and Argentina.
Peru are currently ninth in qualification, above bottom-placed Bolivia on goal difference alone, and things are not looking good for the team.
Another issue for Peru boss Ricardo Gareca is that La Blanquirroja have not played a single minute of football since November 2020.
A win for Peru would certainly do wonders for team confidence going forward.
© Reuters
Colombia, a side that are typically nailed on to qualify for World Cup qualification, have also been struggling in recent times.
After a comprehensive 3-0 win over Venezuela in the opening game, Colombia have picked up just one point in their last three.
Last time out against Ecuador, Reinaldo Rueda's men were beaten 6-1, with James Rodriguez picking up the only goal of the game for La Tricolor.
To make matters worse for Rueda, national superstar Rodriguez is unlikely to take part because of an injury.
The Everton attacker has also been left out of the squad for the Copa America.
- D
- L
- L
- L
- W
- D
- L
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Of the 28 players called up for these qualifiers, Garreca will be without stars such as Jefferson Farfan and Edison Flores, who are both out injured.
Cristofer Gonzalez also withdrew from the squad.
Along with Rodriguez, Rueda will also be without Alfredo Morelos and Juan Fernando Quintero, who both tested positive for COVID-19.
David Ospina and Juan Cuadrado are likely to start, while Duvan Zapata and Luis Muriel could also play a part.
Peru possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Advincula, Ramos, Trauco, Araujo; Yotun, Cueva, Pena; Ruidiaz, Guerrero, Lapadula
Colombia possible starting lineup:
Ospina; Tesillo, Sanchez, Mina, Cuesta; Cuadrado, Barrios, Uribe, Lerma; Zapata, Muriel
We say: Peru 0-2 Colombia
Both these sides will come into this side rusty, but Colombia definitely have the more advanced firepower in this contest and should be able to find a way past Peru.
