They'll be underdogs at home against Colombia, thanks to the injuries and suspensions that have ravaged their back line. All of Diego Godin, Diego Lugano, Sebastian Coates and Martin Caceres are unavailable for Uruguay. While Caceres has played more fullback than central defense in recent years, those are arguably the team's top four center backs. Likely starting in their place is 37-year-old Andres Scotti, who is likely to be paired with an uncapped youngster.
Uruguay currently sit in 5th position in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, and are within touching distance of moving into one of the automatic qualifying spots.
However, they have a big challenge today against Colombia. Even though they have home advantage many analysts have put Colombia as the favorites to win this one. Many have highlighted the injuries and suspensions that have ravaged their back line, and believe they will be too much for Uruguay to recover from and overcome.
But undoubtedly there is still a huge amount of skill in the Uruguay line-up and if their top players can take starring roles today they have potential match-winners in the side.
Without a doubt they will miss Diego Godin, Diego Lugano, Sebastian Coates and Martin Caceres though, who are all unavailable for Uruguay, and they will have their work cut out keeping things tight at the back.
While Caceres has played more fullback than central defense in recent years, those are arguably the team's top four center backs and they are all out.
It is believed that 37-year-old Andres Scotti will be paired with an uncapped rookie player, and Uruguay could opt to move one of their defensive midfielders, Diego Perez or Sebastián Eguren, back into defense.
Meanwhile, Colombia are without Macnelly Torres and Pablo Armero. Jose Peckerman could move Juan Cuadrado back to left back, though he hasn't played much in a back four, and that could be exposed by Uruguay.
Uruguay could also opt to move one of their defensive midfielders, Diego Perez or Sebastián Eguren, back into defense. Colombia are a bit shorthanded as well, though not as badly as Uruguay. They'll be without Macnelly Torres and Pablo Armero. Depending on how attacking of a lineup Jose Peckerman wants to go with, he could move Juan Cuadrado back to left back, though he hasn't played much in a back four. Match date/time: Tuesday, 5 p.m. ET Venue: Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay
