Chile a fading force in WCQs?
In the ever entertaining 10 team group for South American World Cup Qualification, Argentina host Chile looking to reach the summit of the table. Chile missed out on the 2018 World Cup, such is the brutal nature of the format. The top four qualify automatically while fifth place earns a playoff spot, Chile are currently sixth, two points behind Uruguay in fifth. They are in need of a result here to ensure a chasm does not start to build with only four rounds of fixtures completed so far. Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru and Bolivia are the other contenders with the smaller nations of Ecuador and Paraguay punching above their weight in third and fourth in these opening exchanges.
Background
The White and Sky Blues have assembled an incredible squad, maybe a little top heavy as always but the attacking talent at their disposal will take your breath away. Lionel Messi’s supporting cast has never been stronger and with the likes of Rodrigo De Paul and Emiliano Buendia’s inclusions, plenty have a point to prove at international level.
Chile have been a wonderful nation to follow over the last decade, springing surprises on huge nations under Marcelo Bielsa and Jorge Sampaoli. Those times have gone and a golden generation is fading. Eduardo Vargas, Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal and Charles Aranguiz remain key figures but it will be a tough task to handle the skill and energy of Argentina. Of whom they beat on penalties twice, to win back to back Copa America titles. With that tournament in doubt due to coronavirus, more focus will come onto these qualifiers and their significance.
Goals?
The Chileans will be resilient and look to limit the Argentines, but they may have their work cut out in doing so.
- Argentina have scored in nine of ten.
- Argentina have conceded in five of ten.
- Argentina have seen both teams score in five of ten.
- Argentina have seen over 2.5 goals in five of ten.
- Chile have scored in eight of ten.
- Chile have conceded in seven of ten.
- Chile have seen both teams score in seven of ten.
- Chile have seen over 2.5 goals in seven of ten.
The hosts are rightly strong favourites here and therefore I am looking to combine a shorter goals angle to enhance value.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Alexis Sanchez cancelled out Lionel Messi's early penalty as Chile gain a valuable point. 1-1.