Argentina will be looking to return to winning ways when they host a struggling Peru side in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers.
Peru will be aiming for their second win of the new season when they hit the road to square up against a star-studded Argentina, who suffered a shocking defeat to Paraguay in their last outing.
The home team are top of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers table, with 22 points in their 11 games thanks to seven wins, a draw and three defeats. While La Albiceleste have been a force to reckon with, Lionel Scaloni’s team suffered a shocking 2-1 loss at the hands of Paraguay in their last outings and will be eager to return to winning ways in their last fixture of 2024.
On the other hand, he visitors are ninth on the points table with just seven points in their 11 outings. They have tasted victory just once and have played out four draws so far. Peru played out a 0-0 draw against bottom-placed Chile last time out.
While they will be aiming to get something out of this game against Argentina, the away team could feel the full force of Lionel Messi’s team who will be hungry for a positive result. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Argentina
Lionel Scaloni will be without the services of Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez for this fixture. He will most likely hand Leonardo Balerdi a rare start. The home team will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Emiliano Martinez will be in goal.
Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Tagliafico will take charge as the full-backs, while Balerdi will partner Nicolas Otamendi in the heart of the defence. Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernandez will form the double pivot. They will look to protect the backline and ensure they give their attacking players the freedom to cause havoc in the opposition’s half.
Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez will feature on the flanks, while Alexis Mac Allister could take up the number ten role. Finally, Lautaro Martinez should lead the line for Argentina against Peru on Tuesday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): E Martinez; Molina, Balerdi, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez; Messi, Mac Allister, Alvarez; Lautaro Martinez
Peru
The visitors do not have any fresh injury concerns, and they will most likely start with the same XI that took the field against Chile. Peru will go ahead with the 3-5-2 formation, where Carlos Caceda will be in goal. The back three will be made up of Aldo Corzo, Miguel Araujo, and Alexander Callens.
They will have the tough task of keeping a star-studded attack quiet. The central defensive trifecta will receive some significant help from Andy Polo and Luis Advincula who will feature as the wing-backs.
Oliver Sonne, Wilder Cartagena, and Sergio Pena will feature in the centre of the park. The trio will look to ensure that Argentina do not end up dominating the ball too deep in their half. Finally, Paolo Guerrero will pair up with Álex Valera in the attacking third.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Caceda; Corzo, Araujo, Callens; Polo, Sonne, Cartagena, Pena, Advincula; Guerrero, Valera
Key Stats
- Argentina have an exceptional head-to-head record against Peri having won 37 out of their last 58 matches against them. They have only lost seven of those meetings.
- Lionel Scaloni’s team have won each of the last four meetings between the two teams.
- Peru have only won one out of their last outings.
- Argentina have suffered two defeats in their last four CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying fixtures.
- Jorge Fossati’s men have only scored in three out of their 11 outings.
Player to Watch
Lautaro Martinez
While all eyes tend to be on Lionel Messi during an Argentina game, the South American giants surely have a lot more firepower in their squad. Martinez is one of the stars who will be in action and he will be eager to get his name on the scoresheet.
The Inter Milan captain has made a decent start in the new campaign with six goals and four assists in his 15 outings. Having scored in the last outing, Martinez could have a big say on the end result of this fixture.
Prediction
Argentina 3-1 Peru
Argentina suffered a shocking defeat in their last outing, and Peru, who played a draw last time out, will be hoping to script a historic upset, although it looks very unlikely. Lionel Scaloni’s team will go all out attack for a positive result and they will most likely get the job done. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for the home team.
