Argentina welcomes local rival Uruguay to Mendoza on Thursday in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Despite being in third place in the CONMEBOL qualifying table, Argentina has more than a few concerns entering the latter half of the campaign. The Albiceleste has only scored six goals through six matches, and could have been without Lionel Messi as he briefly retired from international soccer after the Copa America. Messi has returned, but he might not be able to play in this match due to injury. Still, the side has most of its regular starters, and Sergio Romero will start in goal. In defense, Gabriel Mercado, Martin Demichelis, Ramiro Funes Mori, and Marcos Rojo will start, with Lucas Biglia, Javier Mascherano, and Ever Banega in midfield. If Messi is fit, he will start up top with Angel Di Maria and Paulo Dybala. Veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera will start for Uruguay, with Atletico Madrid duo Jose Maria Gimenez and Diego Godin in central defense and Alvaro Pereira and Jorge Fucile out wide. In midfield, Egidio Arevalo Rios will start with Carlos Sanchez, Gaston Ramirez, and Cristian Rodriguez, with feared striking partners Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani in attack. These two teams are fierce rivals, and the match will be tight with under 2.5 goals scored. Uruguay will do just enough on the road to earn a difficult point in a 1-1 draw.