South American Qualifying: Uruguay, Colombia and Chile will compete for South America's fifth-place play-off spot in an atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust tonight.

The trio face teams that have already qualified for next year's finals as they fight for the right to play Australia over two legs for a place in Germany.

Uruguay are at home to Argentina, Chile host Ecuador and Colombia travel to Paraguay. World champions Brazil took the continent's other direct place.

Uruguay are the team in control of their own destiny as they currently occupy fifth spot with 22 points, one more than Colombia and Chile.

The qualifying schedule for the 2002 World Cup ended with the same fixtures and, on that occasion, Uruguay guaranteed fifth spot in what commentators said was a surprisingly uncompetitive 1-1 draw with their neighbours.

They sneaked into the play-off by a goal difference of one from Colombia, who thrashed an already-qualified Paraguay 4-0 in the Defenders of the Chaco stadium in Asuncion, a result which itself raised eyebrows in Uruguay.

Uruguay captain Paolo Montero, who missed Saturday's 1-1 draw in Ecuador because of injury, is still doubtful while Diego Forlan is expected to line up in attack.

Chile will be without suspended striker Mauricio Pinilla for the visit of Ecuador and Reinaldo Navia is expected to partner Luis Jimenez in attack.

Ecuador have allowed defender Ivan Hurtado to return to his club in Qatar while forward Agustin Delgado is suspended. Coach Luis Fernando Suarez is also considering resting other regular players.

Paraguay will rest their strike force of Nelson Haedo and Roque Santa Cruz following Saturday's 1-0 win over Venezuela.

Brazil host Venezuela, who are eliminated, while Peru and Bolivia, both eliminated, meet to see who finishes last in the 10-nation group.