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The South American qualifying section is a long, drawn-out affair with all the continent's sides playing out what is effectively a nine-team league campaign.

Now, with nine of 16 rounds already completed, we are starting to get an idea of how the competition is finally shaping up, with Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador currently flying high.

However, for Copa America champions Uruguay, the picture is not so bright.

La Celeste currently lie fifth, in a playoff position, level on points with both Chile and Venezuela. In their next four games, Uruguay face difficult away trips to both their major rivals for qualification, as well as a visit to Lima to face Peru.

First up for Uruguay is a fixture at home to Paraguay which is now a must-win encounter ahead of the three long journeys.

Fail to win the game in Montevideo, or lose to both their major rivals, and Uruguay could be cast adrift in the race for Brazil 2014 with games to spare.