<
>

Copa America quarterfinals preview: Predictions, key players and what to watch for

We are down to the final eight teams in the Copa America. Guest nations Japan and Qatar have gone home but we're left with the giants of South American football, including Argentina, Uruguay and hosts Brazil.

- Copa America: All you need to know
- Full Copa America fixtures schedule

Uruguay vs. Peru

WHERE: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador
WHEN: Saturday, 3 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+

THE STORY SO FAR ...: The old master Oscar Tabarez, now in his 13th year as Uruguay boss, blended youth and experience wisely in a group stage that, apart from a 2-2 draw and scare against Japan, saw his side cruise through without hitting any speed bumps.

Peru started well against Venezuela creating plenty, before dispatching Bolivia and then getting spanked by Brazil. Ricardo Gareca likes his teams to run, but with strikers Jefferson Farfan and Paolo Guerrero, aged 34 and 35 respectively, they need to pace themselves.

URUGUAY WILL ADVANCE IF ... They maintain a steady supply for their experienced front pair of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, which means clamping down the midfield and not letting Peru out of their half. Defensively, things should take care of themselves and the likes of Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez are also threats at the other end.

PERU WILL ADVANCE IF ... They don't allow Uruguay's deep and dynamic midfield to impose themselves and keep them on the back foot either with Luis Advincula's runs or, possibly, some Christian Cueva magic to set off Guerrero and/or Farfan.

KEY MAN, URUGUAY: Edinson Cavani
His pin-balling between midfield and attack helps Uruguay generate man advantages in both areas and he works tirelessly off the ball, allowing Luis Suarez and Nicolas Lodeiro to pick their spots. Oh, and he scores plenty too.

KEY MAN, PERU: Renato Tapia
He's the guy with the hard hat, the blue-collar hero with the legs to keep it together shielding the back four and cuing the attack when Peru win back the ball. It's going to be a busy night for him against the spiky Uruguayan midfield.

PREDICTION: Uruguay 2-0 Peru
Tabarez has plenty of quality at the back and up front and some hungry young midfielders eager to make their mark. Peru are simply overmatched here.