While the final preparations are being put into place for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ Preliminary Draw, to be held on 25 November in Durban, the eyes of planet football are turning to South America. As spring slowly gives way to summer in the southern hemisphere, this weekend sees the third matchday of qualifiers for the 2010 showpiece.

Read on as FIFA.com takes a look at the footballing menu down in South America, including the return to action of regional heavyweights Brazil and Argentina and exciting clashes between Colombia-Venezuela, Paraguay-Ecuador and Uruguay-Chile.

Revenge mission
Colombia-Venezuela, 17 November, 16:10 (local time), Bogota

Turn the clock back around four years, to 15 November 2003, and you would find the Colombian camp in confident mood ahead of Venezuela's visit to steamy Barranquilla. Yet Richard Paez's Vinotinto charges shocked their hosts to come away with a 1-0 success, and the Venezuelan strategist fully intends for history to repeat itself against the Cafeteros, currently coached by Jorge Luis Pinto.

Events thus far would suggest the pair are direct rivals for a qualifying berth, and three points for either could prove decisive in the final reckoning. Throw in the derby atmosphere that always ensues when these national sides meet and the fans watching the game at altitude in Bogota can expect a pulsating encounter.

The talking points: Will Colombia overcome their attacking travails against their up-and-coming opponents? The Cafeteros have failed to score in both their qualifiers so far.

The head-to-head: Radamel Falcao and Juan Arango.

The past: On their last trip to Colombian soil in 2003, Juan Arango's solitary strike sealed a 1-0 win for Venezuela.

The words: "Matches against Venezuela have always got that special derby flavour. Last time around they beat us on our own patch, but we're hoping to make home advantage count and start writing our own little piece of history." Colombia keeper, Agustin Julio.

History favours Brazil
Peru-Brazil, 18 November, 16:10 (local time), Lima

Copa America 2007 winners Brazil have yet to unleash all their fearsome potential thus far in qualifying, despite lying in second place, unbeaten and fresh from a resounding victory over Ecuador. On Sunday they visit Jose Del Solar's struggling Peru side, who have just one point from their first two qualifiers.

History clearly favours Dunga's men, the Seleção never having lost a qualifying match against the Incaicos. Can the Peruvians, in dire need of a positive result, rewrite the record books?

The talking points: Brazil are not only unbeaten in qualifying matches on Peruvian soil, but have found the net at least once on each of their four visits.

The head-to-head: Robinho and Jefferson Farfan.

The past: The Auriverde's last qualifier away to Peru, on 16 November 2003, ended in a 1-1 draw.

The words: "Brazil have good players, but none of them have four legs or four hands. They've had the upper hand in recent encounters but this is something else entirely. We can't afford to give them any space." Peru midfielder, Norberto Solano.

Plenty more to come
The weekend's action includes another three matches, one of them involving Alfio Basile's Argentina - in first place on maximum points. El Coco has a virtually full-strength squad at his disposal as the unbeaten Albiceleste prepare to host Bolivia on Saturday, who have never taken so much as a point from Buenos Aires.

Also on Saturday, Paraguay are aiming for a second successive win in Asuncion when they welcome Ecuador, who have lost both their games so far and are desperate for a positive result to boost their flagging hopes of a third consecutive FIFA World Cup finals' appearance. The statistics favour the Albirroja, who have emerged victorious in every home qualifier against the Tricolor.

The final game is set to be played on Sunday and pits two serious contenders for a qualifying berth, Uruguay and Chile, against each other in Montevideo. The Celeste cut loose in their only home match so far and are aiming for a repeat performance against Marcelo Bielsa's Chile team. Can El Loco inspire La Roja to pick up their first-ever qualifying points from Uruguay's imposing Estadio Centenario?

Third matchday of South American qualifying

Saturday 17 November
Argentina-Bolivia
Colombia-Venezuela
Paraguay-Ecuador

Sunday 18 November
Peru-Brazil
Uruguay-Chile