Uruguay vs. Argentina, 2014 World Cup qualifying: Preview and TV schedule

Uruguay haven't been at their best for a couple of years now, and unfortunately for them it means they're probably going to have to qualify for next year's World Cup via the playoffs.

That's barring a miraculous turn of events on Tuesday, with Óscar Tabárez's team needing to beat group winners Argentina and hope that one of Chile or Ecuador win their meeting by a sizable margin, enabling the Celeste to overcome their equally sizable goal differential deficit.

However, there are some straws for Uruguay to clutch. Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella will field a side without most of its best players. Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuaín, Javier Mascherano and Fernando Gago have been joined on the sidelines by Sergio Agüero and Ángel di María, perhaps offering the hosts a very slight reason for optimism.

Uruguay: Fernando Muslera; Jorge Fucile, Diego Godín, Diego Lugano, Maxi Pereira; Cristian Rodríguez, Diego Pérez, Egidio Arévalo Ríos, Christian Stuani; Edinson Cavani, Luis Suárez

Argentina: Sergio Romero; José María Basanta, Sebastián Domínguez, Federico Fernández, Hugo Campagnaro; Maxi Rodríguez, Éver Banega, Leandro Somoza, Lucas Biglia; Rodrigo Palacio, Érik Lamela

Follow @SBNationSoccer on Twitter | Like SB Nation Soccer on Facebook