World Cup 2022: La Celeste Look to Clinch Spot in Qatar

Uruguay vs Peru

After some struggles in qualifying, Uruguay are closing in on a World Cup 2022 spot. A win against Peru in Montevideo, coupled with Chile’s failure to pick up a win against leaders Brazil, would see La Celeste clinch South America’s fourth automatic spot for Qatar with a game to spare.

Uruguay are going great guns under new coach Diego Alonso, who has won his first two games in charge.

But while the World Cup 2022 betting odds will have his side significantly favoured against Peru, Uruguay must be careful not to underestimate their opponents, who will also be desperate to get the win that would see them leapfrog Uruguay for fourth in the standings.

Talking Points

Uruguay back on the upswing

After a run of five games without a win – including four straight defeats – Uruguay are on the cusp of qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar after back-to-back victories over Paraguay and Venezuela.

Diego Alonso was brought on to take over from veteran coach Oscar Tabarez, and the 46-year-old has made a winning start to his tenure as La Celeste boss.

Alonso has been fortunate to have the legendary forward duo of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani – who have scored a combined 121 international goals between them in 258 caps – available for both of his games in charge.

Suarez is no longer in the sort of form that helped Atleti claim the La Liga title last season. But barring any injury, he and Cavani are still likely to lead the line in this crucial match.

Apart from Suarez and Cavani, Alonso will also have young Facundo Pellistri to help fuel the attack. Alonso gave the 20-year-old Pellistri his first two caps of his career, and the Manchester United winger repaid that faith by immediately producing some fantastic World Cup 2022 highlights in their 4-1 win against Venezuela.

On the other end of the pitch, veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera back in the squad after his recovery from a knee injury. Captain Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez will likely start in front of Muslera, while Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo is expected to retain his spot at right-back.

Peru need another team performance

Peru’s hopes of making it to back-to-back World Cup finals are still alive. After getting a big win over Colombia in January, they took a point from third-placed Ecuador to stay in fifth – just one point back of Uruguay for the fourth and final automatic qualification place.

Ricardo Gareca’s side doesn’t possess much in the way of top-class players; only one player on the current squad (Renato Tapia of Celta Vigo) is playing in one of the top five European leagues.

But Gareca has done a fine job transforming the Incas into a strong collective that plays more than the sum of their parts and can grind out results.

Edison Flores of MLS side DC United popped up with both goals during their last two qualifiers, which puts him tied with fellow midfielder Christian Cueva as the highest-scoring player on the current squad with 15 international goals. Cueva is Peru’s leading scorer in this qualification campaign with five goals.

Goalscoring has been a big issue for Peru during qualifying, especially with all-time leading scorer Paolo Guerrero as well as Jefferson Farfan no longer around. They have scored just 17 goals in 16 games in qualifying, the fourth-fewest in South America.

With Gianluca Lapadula still struggling to fill Guerrero’s big boots, Peru will need their goalscoring midfielders Flores, Cueva, and Andre Carrillo (11 goals in 86 caps) to come up big once again.

History

Uruguay have dominated Peru over the years. They have a massive 38-17 advantage in terms of wins, while there have been 15 draws.

Each of the last two meetings between the two sides have ended in a 1-1 draw. That includes their first World Cup qualifying match in Lima back in September. Renato Tapia had given Peru the lead, but Giorgian de Arrascaeta equalised just five minutes later.

Uruguay’s last win away in Peru came in 2014 World Cup qualifying. Luis Suarez scored a brace in a 2-1 triumph.

Betting Tip

SBOTOP odds have Uruguay installed as significant 1.59 favourites to get the home win over Peru, who are priced at 6.40 to pull off an upset. Meanwhile, a draw is at 3.40.

This is Uruguay’s big chance to take a major step toward automatic World Cup qualification, and I fully expect them to make the most of it. With their entire squad, most notably Suarez and Cavani, fully healthy, La Celeste have all the tools they need to get the win they need at home.

Peru will put up a fight like they usually do, but the home support of the Uruguay crowd should give La Celeste the boost they need to take a first-half lead that they can defend until the end.

 

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