Brazil, the only country to have played at every World Cup finals, need a win to make sure of their place in Germany with two matches to spare.

Chile, who have bounced back into the hunt by winning their last two games, will be hoping for at least a point to keep their hopes alive. The two sides drew 1-1 in Santiago last year.

Brazil are second in the 10-nation South American qualifying group with 27 points from 15 games while Chile are sixth with 20.

The top four qualify directly for next year's World Cup and the fifth plays off over two legs against the Oceania region winners.

Ronaldo, in danger of being overshadowed by players such as Adriano and Robinho, last hit the target for his country in the 5-2 win away to Venezuela in a World Cup qualifier last October.

Since then, he has faced Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay and Croatia without scoring.

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira named his team last Tuesday and Ronaldo will line-up alongside Adriano for only the fourth time in a partnership which has yet to produce the expected fireworks.

Ronaldo, leading scorer in the South American World Cup qualifiers with nine goals, has scored eight of them without Adriano by his side.

Meanwhile, Adriano was leading scorer at last year's Copa America and this year's Confederations Cup when Ronaldo was being rested.

Robinho and Kaka will play behind the front pair with Parreira effectively fielding four forwards. Ronaldinho is missing through suspension.

Brazil were welcomed by an estimated 2,000 fans when they arrived in the capital on Friday night. Earlier, they were forced to cut short a training session in their mountain retreat of Teresopolis because of fog.

Ronaldo left the practice early complaining of discomfort in his thigh but Parreira said it was not serious and he would play.

With Chile expected to pack their defence, Parreira has warned his players against over-eagerness.

"It's not our characteristic to attack desperately," said Parreira.

"We have to be cautious and patient and not try to settle the match in the first few minutes."

Chile coach Nelson Acosta has decided to field former Lazio and Juventus striker Marcelo Salas in attack alongside Sporting Lisbon's Mauricio Pinilla.

The 10-nation group leaders Argentina travel to Paraguay on Saturday but will be without striker Hernan Crespo.

Crespo tore his right thigh muscle playing for Chelsea in their 2-0 victory over Tottenham on Saturday and joins Atletico Madrid's Luciano Galletti and Javier Mascherano of Corinthians on the sidelines through injury. River Plate striker Ernesto Farias has been called up as cover.

Argentina have already qualified but their opponents Paraguay are in fourth spot and every point gained in their next three matches will be precious.

Paraguay coach Anibal Ruiz told reporters: "We will try to create situations which can damage Argentina. We will try to win back the ball quickly and attack as much as we can."