Our Tips for Thursday's CONMEBOL Games - 27/01/22

Already booking their place for the upcoming World Cup and top of the table, Brazil have comfortably been the outstanding team in qualification, boasting both the best attacking and defensive records of any side. In their past five, the Selecao have won three and drawn two with an impressive 4-1 win over rivals Uruguay a standout performance, although had a frustrating goalless draw last matchday against rivals Argentina.

Hosts Ecuador have enjoyed a strong campaign, currently on course for a place in Qatar and in scoring 23 goals, are the second top scorers of the competition. When these two last met, Brazil ran out 2-0 winner’s courtesy of a late Neymar penalty, however, we feel with home advantage on their side and that Ecuador will trouble Tite’s men with our tip both teams to score at 1/1.

As inaugural World Cup winners, Uruguay are traditionally considered one of South America’s top sides, however, have struggled for form throughout this qualification process sitting seventh with four consecutive defeats. Hosts Paraguay are marginally better off form-wise, with three defeats and two draws from five, although sit three points behind La Celeste in ninth as neither side look likely to achieve World Cup qualification.

Both teams are amongst the lowest scoring sides in the qualifiers, as Paraguay’s nine goals see them share the joint-worst attack with Venezuela, with Diego Alonso’s Uruguay only one place above scoring just 14 times despite having legendary, but albeit veteran strikers Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani. Considering both sides underwhelming attacking prowess thus far, expect a low scoring affair with our tip under 2.5 match goals priced at 6/4.

Copa America champions Argentina travel to Chile after a goalless draw against rivals Brazil saw them qualify for this year’s World Cup in Qatar. Despite star man Lionel Messi being rested for the upcoming matches, boss Lionel Scaloni’s squad still looks formidable as the Argentines look to carry on the fine form that has secured early qualification.

Hosts Chile lost last time out to Ecuador, however, prior to that had won three in a row. Martin Lasarte’s men will face a stern challenge trying to break down a resolute Argentina defence that have kept clean sheets in their past five, and conceded just six in their opening 14 games. Though we expect Chile to be tough opposition, the visitors look to have too much quality, with our tip Argentina to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 priced at 5/2.

By their own standards, Columbia have had a poor qualification campaign, although still occupying the final automatic qualification spot on 17 points. Visitors Peru are level on points with the hosts, however, a lower goal difference leaves them in fifth although they enter this one in good form winning their last two against Venezuela and Bolivia and carrying the momentum into this one.

Columbia will be low on confidence, as they are winless in five, with four draws and a defeat to high-flyers Brazil failing to score on each occasion. Although home advantage favours the Columbians, their recent form doesn’t, and we think Peru might edge this one priced at 9/2 to win as they push for a place in Qatar.

Bolivia travel to Venezuela in what looks like a formality more than anything else, as whilst not mathematically impossible, both teams seem out of the running for World Cup qualification. With just one win in their past five and three losses on the bounce, the home side enter this one in poor form whilst visitors Bolivia are slightly better off, with three wins from five including an impressive 3-0 home victory to Uruguay.

Surprise package, Marcelo Martins, leads the scoring charts for qualifiers with nine goals with the Bolivian making the scoresheet against Uruguay last time out. We back Martins to continue his fine goalscoring form and capatialise on a leaky Venezuelan defence, with the forward priced at 4/1 to score anytime.