Holders Brazil will attempt to win a competitive international in Uruguay for the first time tonight as they try to keep up with group leaders Argentina in the South American World Cup qualifiers.
Argentina, who host Colombia in Buenos Aires, have 25 points from 12 matches, while Brazil have 23 points.
The two countries have pulled away from the rest of the 10-team group with nearest rivals Ecuador on 19 points. The top four teams qualify for the finals in Germany and the fifth plays off against the Oceania winners.
Brazil, without suspended central defender Juan and injured striker Adriano, were beaten 1-0 on their last visit to Montevideo in 2001.
Although the five-times world champions won a friendly at the Centenario stadium in 1976, they have never got the better of their smaller neighbours away from home in a competitive game.
Argentina, who fielded a second-string team when they beat Bolivia 2-1 in La Paz on Saturday, are expected to revert to their regular line-up for the visit of Colombia.
Colombia's 5-0 win in Buenos Aires in 1993 is a distant memory and the visitors will this time be delighted with a point.
Peru, second from bottom with 13 points, must beat neighbours Ecuador at home to stay in touch with the pack as they attempt to qualify for their first World Cup since 1982.
Ecuador's position is not as comfortable as it appears despite their 5-2 demolition of Paraguay on Sunday.
Luis Fernandez Suarez's team have won all their points at home but play four of their last six games away. Defeat in Lima could suck them back into the chasing pack.
Peru, on the other hand, will lose touch if they fail to win.
Only three points separate fourth-placed Paraguay and Peru.
Uruguay (15 points), Colombia, Chile and Venezuela (all 14) are squeezed in between while bottom-placed Bolivia on 10 points appear to be the only team out of the running.
Paraguay host Chile next and coach Anibal Ruiz is confident his team can bounce back from Sunday's mauling in Quito as they attempt to reach their third successive World Cup.
"I have full confidence that the players will recover from this because they have personality and they love their national team," he said.