WC Qualifications South America, 01-02. February

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Bolivia vs Chile Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Bolivia:
Lampe; Bejarano, Quinteros, Sagredo; Ramallo, Vaca, Villarroel, Fernandez; Arce; Miranda, Moreno

Chile:
Cortes; Isla, Maripan, Medel, Vegas; Pulgar, Aranguiz; Vargas, Nunez, Sanchez; Brereton Diaz

Bolivia welcome Chile to La Paz in the crucial match for both national teams in their World Cup 2022 Qualifications. Both countries are outside top five and three points from this game are crucial in their attempts to secure a ticket for Qatar. Bolivia have 15 points, five less than fifth-placed Uruguay. Just to remind You, the fourth place guarantees participation at the World Cup in Qatar, while the fifth place means an inter-confederation playoff. La Verde's hopes took a big hit as they were beaten 4:1 by Venezuela in Barinas three days ago. The high defeat spoiled the atmosphere in the national team and surely impacted the players confidence. However, the home form is excellent, Bolivia are in series of three victories in La Paz. They managed to beat Peru, Paraguay and Uruguay, scoring eight goals in the process and keeping three clean sheets. Coach Cesar Farias will be without the midfielder Leonel Justiniano due to suspension. He was sent off in the last match against Venezuela, but I believe his absence isn't crucial. Marcelo Moreno and Juan Carlos Arce should lead the line. With 29 and 14 international goals to their names respectively, they are the key for the success.

Chile are in must-win position to keep their hopes alive. They have 16 points from 15 matches and the situation is very complicated. Chile are three points away from the fifth place and four away from the fourth place currently occupied by Peru. Coach Martin Lasarte, who replaced Reinaldo Rueda earlier, is under enormous pressure, as well as the players. The actual form is poor, they have won lost two matches in a row. What is worse, both defeats came at home. Chile suffered a painful 2:0 defeat to Ecuador in November and lost 2:1 to Argentine three days ago. Chile are now 7th in the current standings, but still have a chance to reach the fourth place that guarantees participation at the World Cup in Qatar. Or at least the fifth place which means a play-off. Chile missed out on qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia and another failure will be like a catastrophe. But there are some additional problems ahead of this match. Lasarte will continue to miss the key midfielder Arturo Vidal and that's the huge handicap. According to many pundits, his suspension was the main reason for the last defeat from Argentine. The absence of goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who's forced off through injury, is another issue.

Bolivia vs Chile Prediction:

Both national teams are in "must win" situation. Bolivia and Chile are outside of the top five, so the victory here is crucial for their progression hopes. So, I expect an open game with goals on both sides.

Bolivia vs Chile Pick: Both teams to score - Yes @ 1.90 with Bet365

 

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Argentina vs Colombia Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Argentina:
E. Martinez; Molina, Martinez Quarta, Li. Martinez, Acuna; Di Maria, Lo Celso, Rodriguez, Ocampos; Lautaro Martinez, A. Correa

Colombia:
Ospina; Cuadrado, Tesillo, Sanchez, Mojica; Rodriguez, Barrios, Uribe, Diaz; Falcao, Borja

Argentina welcome Colombia to the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in World Cup qualifications. The Albiceleste are second on the table with 32 points, four less than first-placed Brazil. They have secured ticket for the final tournament in Qatar. Argentina are in excellent form - four victories and one draw on the last five matches. Argentina managed to beat Uruguay home and away, as well as Peru and Chile, while shared the points with Brazil. The strong defense is a base for success - goalkeeper Martinez have conceded just one goal on the last seven matches. The only goal came on the last match against Chile, though it is not important at all. Argentina secured a 2:1 win thanks to goals scored by Angel Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez. Coach Lionel Scaloni continue to be without the key star Lionel Messi. As You probably know, the Argentine Football Assosiation came to an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain for Messi to remain in France, as he has only just recovered from a bout of Coronavirus. The 34-year-old captain was omitted from Argentina’s 27-man squad for this campaign. Messi spent the festive period in Argentina before testing positive for Coronavirus and trained separately from his teammates on his return to Paris. His absence is a huge handicap, but Argentina showed they are able to register a victory even without his captain. Cristian Romero and Joaquin Correa are injured, while four players are suspended - Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Rodrigo de Paul and Leandro Paredes. Alexis Mac Allister remains in self-isolation after tested positive on Coronavirus.

Colombia are in very complicated situation. They have 17 points from 15 matches and they are two points adrift of the fifth place and three away from the fourth place currently occupied by Peru. Coach Reinaldo Rueda is under big pressure, as well as the players. The actual form is poor, they have two defeats on the last three matches. Worst of all, the attack is not working at all. Colombia are in series of six matches without a single goal. The fact they haven't score for more than 540 minutes is frustrating the fans. In the last match La Tricolors suffered a painful defeat to Peru. Colombia struggled for attacking inspiration once again and allowed Peru to score a priceless 85th-minute winner. As a result, their World Cup destiny is out of their own hands now. Coach Reinaldo Rueda has some additional issues ahead of this crucial game. Yerry Mina is suspended due to accumulation of bookings and should be replaced by William Tesillo. Falcao is expected to earn his 99th cap for the national team. Together with Granada's winger Miguel Borja, he will try to end the series of six goalless matches of his national team.

Argentina vs Colombia Prediction:

Colombia are outside top five and they need a victory. Even a draw isn't good enough for them. Argentina are relaxed and they have mathematically secured a ticket for Qatar. But the Albiceleste won't give up, they won 2:1 against Chile three days ago. I expect an open match with at least three goals.

Argentina vs Colombia Pick: Over 2.5 goals @ 2.48 with Unibet

 

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Bolivia vs Chile Pick: Both teams to score - Yes @ 1.90 with Bet365

2-3

 

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Argentina vs Colombia Pick: Over 2.5 goals @ 2.48 with Unibet

1-0

 

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best for 2-2