Peru vs. Argentina Live Stream, Preview, Predictions for World Cup Qualifiers 2018 As Lionel Messi's Injury Looms Large

By David Salazar First Posted: Oct 04, 2016 03:50 AM EDT

Peru and Argentina face off in the World Cup Qualifiers 2018 on Thursday.

Argentina is fully-loaded for this affair with the return of Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero to the squad after missing the last round of qualifiers. Both strikers have had terrific starts to their respective club campaigns and should be hungry to get back into top form for the national team.

No player is in better form than Lionel Messi who scores goals at a premium these days. The superstar was vital for Argentina in the qualifiers though he did have a nagging injury in the 2-2 draw with Argentina, a game the team was expected to win with ease. Argentina is just one point out of first place and also four points out of dropping out of the race altogether.

Of course, the superstar has been injured of late.

Peru has seven points and is likely looking at taking the 2018 summer off. That said, the team could provide pitfalls for a team that drew last-place Venezuela, lost at home against Ecuador and stumbled in a 0-0 draw at Paraguay.

Prediction

Argentina is the runaway favorite in this game, though the team has struggled in seemingly straight-forward affairs. Expect a hard-fought 2-1 win with Messi featuring prominently for Argentina.