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November 18 2024, 21:50 · Trystan Pugh
Updated: November 19 2024, 14:09

Argentina vs Peru Preview: Team News & Prediction

Argentina vs Peru Preview: Team News & Prediction
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The recent defeat to Paraguay is likely to bring out the best in Argentina here, as Lionel Messi and co. welcome Peru to Buenos Aires.

Kick-off date/time: Wednesday 20th November, 2024: UK – 12:00am / US ET – 7:00pm (Tuesday) / US PT – 4:00pm (Tuesday)

How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / US – Fanatiz

Argentina Preview: Complacency creeping in

With much of the hard work done in the early part of the CONMEBOL qualifying campaign, Argentina are very much in cruise mode right now, so it's not at all surprising to see a decline in their results, especially away from home where they have picked up just a point from their last three outings. They most recently lost to in-form Paraguay in Assuncion, despite taking an early lead in that contest.

The Buenos Aires crowd will not put up with complacency though, and the world champions are generally incredibly solid in their own backyard. Dating back to the previous qualification cycle, Argentina have kept clean sheets in ten of their last 11 home qualifiers, winning nine of those.

Peru Preview: Hope is fading

Peru are well off the pace now and are running out of games if they are to sneak into one of the qualifying spots, with their paltry goal return of just three scored in 11 games doing little to inspire confidence that they can turn things around.

Jorge Fossati's men played out a fairly drab goalless draw with fellow strugglers Chile last time out, in a match that was fairly typical of their entire campaign, and they will have to improve significantly if they are to contain Argentina here, with a strong response expected from the hosts.

Argentina Team News: Defensive absences

Lionel Scaloni must deal with some defensive injuries as Cristian Romero suffered a foot injury against Paraguay while Lisandro Martinez has since been forced to pull out of the squad with his own complaint.

Leonardo Balerdi, who replaced Romero last week, should therefore partner veteran centre-back Nicolas Otamendi in central defence.

PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): E. Martinez; Molina, Balerdi, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez; Messi, Mac Allister, Alvarez; L. Martinez

UNAVAILABLE: Romero (Injured), L. Martinez (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE:

Peru Team News: Zambrano available

Having completed his one-match ban for an accumulation of yellow cards, Carlos Zambrano is available once more and could be re-instated into the heart of the Peruvian defence.

40-year-old striker Paolo Guerrero - Peru's all-time top goalscorer - played over an hour against Chile and may drop out in favour of either Gianluca Lapadula or Edison Flores, both of whom should offer more energy in attack if Peru are to adopt a counter-attacking approach.

PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Caceda; Araujo, Zambrano Callens; Polo, Sonne, Cartagena, Pena, Advincula; Lapadula, Valera

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE:

Key Stats

  • Argentina are unbeaten in their last 18 World Cup qualifying matches against Peru (W12 D6). Since a 1-0 defeat in Peru in June 1985.
  • Argentina have won seven and drawn three of their previous ten World Cup qualifying matches  at home against Peru.
  • Argentina have not conceded a goal in their last four World Cup qualifying matches against Peru.
  • Peru have won only one of their last 12 World Cup qualifying matches (D5 L6).
  • Peru have failed to score in nine of their last 12 World Cup qualifying matches.
  • Peru have lost their last four World Cup qualifying matches away from home.
  • Peru have not scored a goal in their last seven World Cup qualifying matches outside of Peru.

Argentina vs Peru Prediction

You have to fear for Peru here, especially when you consider the fact that they haven't found the net in any of their five away games in the current CONMEBOL qualifying cycle.

While Argentina were below par in their recent defeat, that result was as much about Paraguay's strong performance as anything else, so not a great deal of stock should be placed in that result. If anything, it will only serve to make Lionel Scaloni's men even hungrier to put that right here. Just as they did last month, when they followed a tepid away display with a commanding home win, the hosts should run out comfortable winners in this one. 

Argentina vs Peru Tip: Argentina to win to nil