Uruguay vs Colombia World Cup Qualifiers 2018: Preview, Stream, Predictions, Lineup, Schedule
On Tuesday, Colombia and Uruguay will face off in the World Cup Qualifiers for the first time in this cycle.
It should make for an interesting matchup for both sides. Uruguay enters the contest with three points after defeating Bolivia 2-0 on the road. Now the team has the advantage of playing on its home turf against a Colombian side, which struggled at times for its 2-0 win against Peru last week.
Goal scoring remains a huge question mark for Uruguay as the team will not have the services of top scorers Luis Suárez or Edinson Cavani. Both superstars are suspended from play. As in the first game in La Paz, the team may get goals from two defenders, Martin Cáceres and Diego Godín, compensating for the team's forwards who lack in precision in the attacking third.
Goalscoring does not seem to be as big an issue for Colombia, which got a grade-A performance from Teófilo Gutiérrez in the first game. Gutiérrez scored the winner and looked dangerous throughout the match. The same cannot be said for Carlos Bacca, who looked lost at times and missed major chances to extend Colombia's lead.
The major factor in this game is how Uruguay contains Juan Cuadrado. The Colombian midfielder was on fire against Peru, holding onto the ball in the early going and then dominating on the right flank, creating one scoring chance after another. He was Colombia's MVP in the opening game and will be the most dangerous player on the pitch.
Another positive for Los Cafeteros is having Carlos Sánchez and Fredy Guarin in the midfield. The pair provided the team with stability in the first game, something it had been lacking in the Copa America.
Radamel Falcao got to make a cameo for Colombia on Thursday as well, though his impact on the game was minimal at best.
The last time these sides competed against one another, Colombia won 2-0 in the World Cup round of 16, courtesy of goals by James Rodríguez.
Prediction: Colombia and Uruguay draw 1-1.
Start Time: 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
The game can be streamed on beIN Sport Connect.
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