As the second half of qualifying gets underway, Peru and Paraguay play a crucial match that could dictate what they will do with their seven remaining matches.
Peru is coming off a draw with a weak Bolivia squad on the road which indicated that this team may not be ready to take over big games. With just 8 points and four points behind fourth place, they are still alive in qualifying, but must start putting together some results. They have not lost in their last three games (including a 1-1 draw with Argentina) and have shown promise, but a win is necessary against Paraguay if they have hopes of making a run at one of the top four spots.
Meanwhile Paraguay has dropped five straight and is in free fall. With just four points, this team's window of opportunity is starting to close. They can only obtain a possible 24 extra points to finish out with 28 points, but with Argentina, Colombia, and Ecuador holding at least 16 points, that does not look likely for Paraguay. What complicates things further is that Paraguay has not scored in its last two matches with the last goal coming in the 17th minute against Argentina in September.
The last time these teams faced off in the qualifiers, Peru handed Paraguay a 2-0 victory.
Prediction: Paraguay has been terrible, but there is no way they end the qualifiers with only one victory. They will play better at home and secure a 1-0 win.
Start Time: 7 PM ETD