Argentina - Uruguay
It is widely accepted as the second most fiercest rivalry in South America. The two “Celestes” of the continent will collide on Saturday evening in what is expected to be a red-hot encounter as they look to strengthen their grip on World Cup qualification. 
Playmaker Juan Román Riquelme has shrugged off a minor niggle as he trained normally with the rest of the squad in midweek.
Leftback Luciano Monzón, midfielder Pablo Barrientos and forward Gonzalo Bergessio have been handed their first call-ups while Nicolas Burdisso and Diego Milito have been given a recall to the squad.
Goalkeepers Pato Abbondanzieri and Óscar Ustari are both still sidelined which leaves Pablo Carrizo as the favourite to start between the sticks.
Probable Starting XI: Carrizo – Zanetti (c), Coloccini, Demichelis, Heinze – Mascherano, Riquelme, Cambiasso – Messi, Agüero, Tevez
Goalkeeper Juan Castillo has recovered from a knock to his right leg he picked up during training earlier in the week and he should retain his spot at goal. Stalwart defender and captain Diego Lugano has also shrugged off an injury and he will continue to marshal his backline.
Striker Diego Forlán has, ofcourse, been omitted from the squad as he nurses a muscular tear in his right thigh. Coach, Tabárez has all but confirmed that Javier Ernesto Chevantón will be his replacement to partner Sebastián Abreu upfront.
Probable Starting XI: Castillo – Fucile, Lugano (c), Godín, Cáceres – Pereira, Pérez, Eguren, Cristian Rodríguez – Abreu, Chevantón
It may not be as fiery as Argentina versus Brazil but this is without doubt one of the oldest international rivalries in world football. Argentina and Uruguay have met a total of 174 times since 1901 in all official games and it gets more and more intense every meeting.
Both sets of players have already started the mind games in the lead up to this clash, each declaring their intentions to take down the other team with the aim of not only consolidating their hopes of direct entry to South Africa 2010, but also to attain the bragging rights, to boost their morale and to pile on the misery for the opposite number.
Both sets of players have already started the mind games in the lead up to this clash, each declaring their intentions to take down the other team with the aim of not only consolidating their hopes of direct entry to South Africa 2010, but also to attain the bragging rights, to boost their morale and to pile on the misery for the opposite number.
Indeed, neither nation have looked especially solid in the qualifying campaign so far. Argentina have now gone five games without a single triumph. In fact, their senior team have yet to pick up a victory in the whole of 2008 in a competitive outing. And if they happen to fail to beat Uruguay on Saturday and Chile in midweek, they would have gone the entire year without winning.
Despite that woeful streak, Alfio Basile’s men are still well placed inside the top four for an automatic qualification spot as they cling on to third place. But Los Albicelestes are definitely under immense pressure to snap their barren spell.
The 64 year old has an unfathomable amount of talent at his disposal and yet they are struggling to get the desired results. The veteran could be facing the chop if he stumbles against the old foe.
Despite that woeful streak, Alfio Basile’s men are still well placed inside the top four for an automatic qualification spot as they cling on to third place. But Los Albicelestes are definitely under immense pressure to snap their barren spell.
The 64 year old has an unfathomable amount of talent at his disposal and yet they are struggling to get the desired results. The veteran could be facing the chop if he stumbles against the old foe.
Uruguay, on the other hand, managed to notch up two wins in their last five rounds. Most impressive was the 6-0 hammering of Peru back in June but they also eeked out an admirable 0-1 win away against the always daunting Colombia. However, they only lie fifth in the standings due to their inconsistent form and a slow start to the campaign.
Prior to those two wins, Óscar Tabárez’s side had only managed one victory and that was in the opening round when they walloped Bolivia 5-0. Even though they are currently outside of the direct qualification zone, Los Charrúas are only a solitary point behind Brazil, Argentina and Chile who are second, third and fourth respectively by virtue of goal difference.
A positive result in Buenos Aires at the weekend will put them in the right frame of mind to enter the “second half” of the qualifying series when they take on Bolivia again on Tuesday. A win in La Paz and they could find themselves right in the hunt to challenge for the top four towards the final phase of the program.
Prior to those two wins, Óscar Tabárez’s side had only managed one victory and that was in the opening round when they walloped Bolivia 5-0. Even though they are currently outside of the direct qualification zone, Los Charrúas are only a solitary point behind Brazil, Argentina and Chile who are second, third and fourth respectively by virtue of goal difference.
A positive result in Buenos Aires at the weekend will put them in the right frame of mind to enter the “second half” of the qualifying series when they take on Bolivia again on Tuesday. A win in La Paz and they could find themselves right in the hunt to challenge for the top four towards the final phase of the program.
Argentina
Playmaker Juan Román Riquelme has shrugged off a minor niggle as he trained normally with the rest of the squad in midweek.
Leftback Luciano Monzón, midfielder Pablo Barrientos and forward Gonzalo Bergessio have been handed their first call-ups while Nicolas Burdisso and Diego Milito have been given a recall to the squad.
Goalkeepers Pato Abbondanzieri and Óscar Ustari are both still sidelined which leaves Pablo Carrizo as the favourite to start between the sticks.
Probable Starting XI: Carrizo – Zanetti (c), Coloccini, Demichelis, Heinze – Mascherano, Riquelme, Cambiasso – Messi, Agüero, Tevez
Uruguay
Goalkeeper Juan Castillo has recovered from a knock to his right leg he picked up during training earlier in the week and he should retain his spot at goal. Stalwart defender and captain Diego Lugano has also shrugged off an injury and he will continue to marshal his backline.
Striker Diego Forlán has, ofcourse, been omitted from the squad as he nurses a muscular tear in his right thigh. Coach, Tabárez has all but confirmed that Javier Ernesto Chevantón will be his replacement to partner Sebastián Abreu upfront.
Probable Starting XI: Castillo – Fucile, Lugano (c), Godín, Cáceres – Pereira, Pérez, Eguren, Cristian Rodríguez – Abreu, Chevantón
My advice is to bet on the number of goals - over 3 seems a good choise. Also, i will go with Argentina -1 european handicap beacouse with an atack composed of Messi-Aguero-Tevez they should easy score 3+ goals
Labels: World Cup 2010 Qual.
posted by Midnight Sun @ 21:27,
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