RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 28 -- While Brazil have already secured their place at next year's World Cup in Russia, the battle for South America's other direct qualification berths remains wide open as the continent braces for another double header round of qualifiers.

Colombia, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru and Paraguay are all vying for the three remaining automatic qualification slots with four fixtures left in the CONMEBOL tournament.

Having already pocketed 33 points from 14 matches, Brazil coach Tite can now afford to experiment with his squad for the team's remaining qualifiers against Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia and Chile.

Colombia are the next-best placed team with 24 points from 14 matches. Jose Pekerman's outfit will be without influential midfielder James Rodriguez for Thursday's away clash against Venezuela but the 26-year-old is expected to be available for the duel against Brazil in Barranquilla five days later.

Victories in both matches would all but guarantee the Cafeteros a berth in their second consecutive World Cup.

A point behind Colombia are Uruguay and Chile. The Celeste will be without injured striker Luis Suarez for the clashes with Argentina and Paraguay, meaning their attacking plans will rest largely on the shoulders of Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani.

Chile have struggled to recapture the form that took them to back-to-back Copa America titles in 2017 and 2016. But the Roja should take a significant step towards qualifying by defeating Paraguay at home on Thursday and Bolivia away on Tuesday week.

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