Tottenham conductor Christian Eriksen and Jefferson Farfan two key players for Peru v Denmark

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  • Peru and Denmark kick-off their World Cup 2018 campaigns on Saturday when they meet at Mordovia Arena.

    This Group C-clash will pit two intriguing teams against each other, brimming with exciting talent.

    Here are some of the key men who will decide this meeting:

    JEFFERSON FARFAN V CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN

    Denmark's Christian Eriksen (l) scores against Mexico.

    Denmark’s Christian Eriksen (l) scores against Mexico.

    Farfan has experienced a remarkable turnaround in fortunes since October 2016’s release from Al Jazira after making just 18 appearances during an injury-ravaged spell. Since then, the forward’s class of old from his spells at PSV Eindhoven and Schalke has shone through.

    The 33-year-old’s 10 goals at Lokomotiv Moscow helped earn a surprise 2017/18 Russian Premier League crown, while a recall to the national team nudged Peru towards a return to the World Cup for the first time since 1982.

    Playmaker Eriksen comes into the tournament after a career-best season at Tottenham that contained 10 assists and 10 goals in the Premier League. November’s iridescent hat-trick in the play-offs against Republic of Ireland saw parallels to the fabled Laudrup brothers increase.

    Both men will now look to pull the strings in Saransk. Whomever gets the upper hand should define this match.

    PAOLO GUERRERO V ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN

    Paolo Guerrero of Peru looks on during a training session at Arena Khimki.

    Paolo Guerrero (r) of Peru looks on during a training session at Arena Khimki.

    Guerrero’s route to World Cup 2018 has been highly unorthodox. It has featured December’s failed drugs test caused by drinking contaminated tea, FIFA’s subsequent year-long ban and a route through various courts that sees his suspension frozen until after the tournament.

    The belated presence of Peru’s 34-goal record scorer is key to hopes of progression. No-one else in head coach Ricardo Gareca’s ranks can match the skill set of the controversial 34-year-old Flamengo centre forward.

    Opposing him this weekend will be Chelsea’s Christiansen.

    2017/18 was a school of hard knocks for the stylish 22-year-old. Back at Stamford Bridge after two seasons on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach, he made 40 appearances in all competitions.

    But high-profile mistakes against Barcelona and Manchester City counted against him. A repeat in Russia will not be tolerated by boss Age Hareide.

    ALBERTO RODRIGUEZ V NICOLAI JORGENSEN

    Denmark's Nicolai Jorgensen scored 11 times in 30 matches for Feyenoord during 2017/18.

    Denmark’s Nicolai Jorgensen scored 11 times in 30 matches for Feyenoord during 2017/18.

    Rodriguez has been a rock for Peru, during more than 70 international appearances.

    But there is a sense now that the granite 34-year-old’s power is gradually being chipped away by a long line of draining injuries. It is now up to the Los Incas centre-back to prove his strength endures, starting with a scrap versus Feyenoord marksman Jorgensen.

    The tall 27-year-old was a January target for Newcastle United and offers a focal point for an exciting attack. Preventing his link play with the likes of Eriksen and Celta Vigo assist machine Pione Sisto is key to Peru hopes.

    He will know that strong displays in Russia could see Feyenoord presented with a sizeable offer that, this time, they cannot refuse.

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