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The only perfect side in South America, Argentina, travel to Lima to take on a winless Peru side in the fourth round of CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers.
The albiceleste scored early to defeat Paraguay 1-0 in Buenos Aires, meanwhile the Incas crumbled in the clásico del pácifico in Santiago, losing 2-0 to Chile.
These are the Peru vs Argentina predicted lineups for the game that will take place in the Estadio Nacional, Lima, Peru on Tuesday 17th October at 9pm local time.
Peru vs Argentina predicted lineups and news
Contents
Peru have fielded the oldest starting XI in the qualifiers so far, each team has had an average age over 31 years old. Juan Reynoso has been relying on all-time top scorer Paolo Guerrero, now 39, but he has been unable to find the net.
Argentina have been in fantastic form since winning the 2022 World Cup, and as such Lionel Scaloni has hardly made changes to his side. The main doubt is the same one that has had Inter Miami scratching their heads recently, how many minutes can Messi play?
Team news: Peru
Franco Zanelatto was one of the fresh faces in the Peru squad, but the Paraguayan-born 23 year old wasn’t used in the previous match. With Reynoso desperate for a goal, there is growing feeling that the Alianza Lima forward will start.
Another change we could see in the attacking make up of the side, is the inclusion of André Carrillo from the start. The former Watford winger, now with Al-Qadish, only appeared as substitute against Chile.
One player that knows Irish football well is Dundalk defender Louie Annesley, who has been playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division since the turn of the year.
Peru predicted lineup: 4-5-1
Gallese – Advíncula, Santamaría, Abram, Loyola – Cartagena, Yotún, Polo, Zanelatto, Carrillo – Guerrero
Team news: Argentina
The old adage, never change a winning side, could be employed here by Lionel Scaloni who is reported to want to keep the eleven that beat Paraguay 1-0.
The only possible change is if he decides to hand a start to Lionel Messi, the Inter Miami star emerged from the bench to play 37 minutes in Buenos Aires.
Argentina have been perfect so far, winning every game without conceding a goal, and are currently on a 13-game unbeaten streak.
Argentina predicted lineup: 4-4-2
E.Martínez – Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico – De Paul, MacAllister, Fernández, N.González – Álvarez, Martínez
Will Lionel Messi play today?
The 2023 Ballon D’Or nominee has seen little playing time recently because of injury. However, by featuring in two games within a week, there is growing confidence he will be ready to start.
Even if he comes off the bench he can still be dangerous, Messi registered more shots than any other player in his cameo against the Albirroja.
🏆 #Eliminatorias#DatoAlbiceleste 🇦🇷
Apunten, disparen 🎯
Lionel #Messi fue el jugador que más veces remató al arco rival. pic.twitter.com/eq2sEU6vJp
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) October 13, 2023
Interestingly Peru, alongside Brazil, is the only side which Messi is yet to score against in World Cup Qualifiers.
In his pre-match press conference Scaloni confirmed that “Messi is fine, he’s getting more minutes in training” before adding “we will make a decision tomorrow (Tuesday)”.
With Argentina proving they can win without their captain on the pitch, we think he will continue to get some rest and only be used sparingly in the second half.
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