Sports Mole previews Saturday's World Cup Qualifying - South America clash between Peru and Colombia, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Match Preview
Peru will face Colombia in a crucial World Cup qualifying match at the Estadio Nacional de Lima. Peru is currently at the bottom of the group after failing to win any of their six qualifiers, while Colombia sits third in the standings with a strong position.
Team Form and Expectations
After a disappointing start in the qualification round, Peru's coach Jorge Fossati, who took over in December 2023, is working to turn the team's fortunes around. Meanwhile, Colombia, led by Nestor Lorenzo, has had a more successful campaign, bolstered by strong performances in recent tournaments.
Previous World Cup Participation
Peru managed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup but struggled in their debut, finishing third in their group. They narrowly missed out on qualification for the Qatar 2022 World Cup in a playoff against Australia.
Key Players
The focus will be on Gianluca Lapadula and Edison Flores for Peru to break their scoring drought, whereas Colombia's James Rodriguez will be crucial after his impressive Copa America performance.
Predicted Outcome
The prediction for the match leans towards a comfortable win for Colombia, especially considering their offensive capabilities and Peru's current struggles.