Home / Match Previews / 2018 World Cup Qualifiers: Chile vs Argentina preview

2018 World Cup Qualifiers: Chile vs Argentina preview

Kickoff: Thursday, 24 March @23:30 GMT

Venue: Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos (Santiago de Chile)

Live Stream: fuboTV (US), bet365 (non-US)

Head to head record

Chile vs Argentina 0-0 (2015 Coppa America)
Chile vs Argentina 1-2 (2014 World Cup Qualifiers)
Argentina vs Chile 4-1 (2014 World Cup Qualifiers)
Chile vs Argentina 1-0 (2010 World Cup Qualifiers)
Argentina vs Chile 2-0 (2010 World Cup Qualifiers)

Chile vs Argentina prediction

Both teams had a rather slow start in the CONMEBOL qualifications for the World Cup scheduled in Russia. La Albiceleste will be looking for revenge after losing to Chile in the Coppa America finals on penalties (4-1), while la Roja want their second home triumph against Gerardo Martino’s charges after October 2010.

Chile have suffered a single defeat as hosts since January 2013

Chile managed to gather only seven of possible twelve points form their first four games in the qualifications. After a magnificent victory against Brazil in the opening fixture (2-0) and a high-scoring spectacle in Peru (4-3), Juan Antonio Pizzi’s charges suffered a somewhat dip in form, as they shared the spoils with Columbia (1-1), while they left Montevideo empty-handed (3-0). La Roja need to get back to winning ways in order to reclaim the top-four position and they will have their first opportunity against Argentina this Thursday night. Pizzi’s men are a tough nut to crack when playing as hosts, since they suffered a single defeat in their last twenty eight games (W23 D4) and, given the current form of Martino’s side, chances are Vidal and his teammates could record their first triumph against the Albiceleste in more than five years.

Juan Antonio Pizzi issued a call to Barcelona keeper Claudio Bravo for the upcoming fixtures, even though he had a clash with national team bosses after the 2015 Copa America. Espanyol’s full-back Enzo Roco will be looking for his 7th cap, as it is expected he will be given an opportunity to start. Marcelo Larrondo, Rosario Central’s forward who switched his allegiance from Argentina, will be sidelined due to injury, as well as Jorge Valdivia and Charles Aranguiz, while Eduardo Vargas is suspended. Pizzi’s key players, Gary Medel, Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez are expected to lead their team in the upcoming clash against Argentina.

Argentina yet to produce top-class performance

La Albiceleste managed to end their four-game winless run after defeating Colombia at Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez (1-0), thanks to Bigla’s goal. Even though Argentina possesses probably one of the strongest offensive lines in the World at the moment, los Argentinos have been rather inefficient in the current qualifications, with mere two goals in four matches. The lack of goals could be connected to Messi’s missing the first four matches in the stage. The Barcelona star is doing wonders for his team in the current season, while Gonzalo Higuain is one of the top goals scorers in Europe currently. However, it is well known that the Argentinians often underperform when wearing their national shirts. Tata Martino’s charges boast a 4-1-1 record in Chile, so they will rely on tradition in the upcoming clash. Truth being told, la Roja are in a much better form and full of confidence given their magnificent home record, and making Bravo concede a goal in the upcoming clash could prove to be a very difficult task.

One of the biggest surprises in Tata Martino’s list is Javier Pinolla, who will make a come-back after being absent for nine years. As expected, Carlos Tevez did not make the team this time, as well as Fernando Gago, but Lavezzi is included despite his transfer to China. Valencia’s Enco Perez will be sidelined due to his muscle injury, while Dybala and Otamendi will be accessed before the match. Mateo Mussachio could pose as a probable replacement for Otamendi, given his good run of form in Villarreal, and Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria could easily make up for Dybala’s possible absence. Geronimo Rulli of Real Sociedad earned his first call-up, while Gabriel Mercado and Leonel Vangioni from River Plate also made the Argentina squad.

Quick Facts

  • Chile recorded a single home triumph against Argentina in the World Cup qualifiers
  • La Roja are on a eleven-game undefeated run as hosts
  • Tata Martino’s side lost on penalties to Chile in the last Coppa America finals
  • Argentina won a single game in their last five matches (D3 L1).
  • La Albiceleste netted mere two goals in previous four fixtures

Chile vs Argentina betting tip

Even though la Roja managed to defeat Argentina just once on home soil, I truly believe that Vidal and co. could easily take advantage of Argentina’s poor form in the competition. Chile already proved in the Coppa America finals that they can outsmart Tata Martino’s side, and, if the home fans provide enough support for their boys, a home triumph is inevitable.

Tip: Chile to win

Odds: 3.10 (21/10) @bet365

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