Paraguay's encounter with Peru on Thursday certainly doesn't sound like the most glamorous of South American World Cup qualifiers, but it's easy to understate its potential importance. Heading into the round, Paraguay sit a couple of places and a solitary point below fifth-place Chile and the intercontinental playoff spot, and a victory could feasibly see them move into the top four.
Paraguay vs. Peru 2016: Start time, live stream, TV schedule, and 3 things to know
Paraguay will play host to Peru in Asunción on Thursday.
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Peru, meanwhile, know they really need to win if they're to revive their hopes of qualifying for Russia 2018. They've won just three of their first 10 games, and find themselves cut five points adrift of Chile as we head into the 11th matchday. Though their hopes of making it to their first World Cup since 1982 are certainly not yet over, they'll be fading fast if they can't get a result away in Asunción.
How to watch, stream, and listen
TV: This game will not be shown in North America, though Paraguayans can catch the action on Tigo Sports, and Peruvians on Andina de Televisión.
Online streaming: beIN Sports Connect (US and Canada)
For online listings in other countries, you can check out LiveSoccerTV.
Three big things to know
1. Paraguay have been strangely inconsistent in qualifying so far, having followed up defeats to Uruguay and Colombia with a win away in Argentina last time out. Coach Francisco Arce has recalled veteran Roque Santa Cruz back into his squad in the hope that experience will help them find some form, though the former Bayern Munich and Manchester City striker has announced he will retire after the forthcoming internationals.
2. Peru have won three straight matches against Paraguay in all competitions, though never in their history have they won away on Paraguayan soil. Given their struggles in CONMEBOL qualification so far, they’re unlikely to make history on Thursday.
3. Paraguay are looking to make it to the ninth World Cup in their history, having qualified for four consecutive editions of the tournament between 1998 and 2010. They failed to qualify for the tournament in Brazil a couple of years ago, though know they still have a reasonable chance of making amends this time around.
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