Verdict: Both teams to score – No
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
In what is a must-win World Cup qualifying showdown for both camps on Tuesday night, Bolivia will welcome Chile to El Alto.
Bolivia
Starting with the hosts, while Bolivia might have sprung a real upset between September and October last year as they enjoyed a remarkable three-match winning run, La Verde have come crashing back down to earth in what has been somewhat of an expected fashion. Last seen over the weekend falling to a routine 2-0 defeat away at Venezuela, Oscar Villegas’ men have now put just two points on the board from their previous six straight World Cup qualifying appearances. Getting 2025 underway with a 3-1 loss at the hands of Peru, Bolivia have shown some extended issues at both ends of the pitch. Along with drawing a blank in four of those six consecutive outings, Tuesday’s hosts have also shipped 17 goals on that winless rut.
Bolivia Team News
Not included in Bolivia’s squad this month and regarded as a shock absentee, playmaker Ramiro Vaca will not play any part on Tuesday night. Likewise, 28-year-old Victor Abrego has also been dropped from Villegas’ squad.
Left as an unused substitute against Venezuela over the weekend, Jose Sagredo could be handed a full recall and start in a left-wing back role. Notching five World Cup qualifying strikes, Santos youngster Miguelito will shoulder plenty of Bolivia’s attacking threat here.
Chile
As for the visitors, enduring what has been a public World Cup qualifying nightmare, Chile have rightfully come under a huge amount of scrutiny. Putting just 10 points on the board from any of their 15 appearances, Ricardo Gareca’s men sit rock-bottom of the table and know that their qualifying dreams could be officially needed on Tuesday night. Marking their return over the weekend with a 1-0 loss at home against reigning world champions Argentina, La Roja have also broken a string of unwanted records over the past few years. In fact, despite g off 2024 with an action-packed 4-2 victory against Venezuela, that is the only win that Chile have mustered from their last 15 competitive appearances across all competitions – a rut that stems all the way back to October 2023.
Chile Team News
Returning to Chile’s squad this month and set to lead out Gareca’s side on Tuesday night, former Arsenal skipper Alexis Sanchez will earn a 168th international cap here. Now playing his domestic football with Chilean outfit Colo Colo, ex-Barcelona star Arturo Vidal will start in the middle of the park.
Watford defender Francisco Sierralta will partner Torno’s Guillermo Maripan at the back. Clinching a top-half Ligue 1 finish with Toulouse this season, Gabriel Suazo will start at left-back.
Bolivia vs Chile Key Factors to Consider
- Bolivia have failed to win any of their last six World Cup qualifying appearances (four defeats, two draws).
- Bolivia have also failed to find the net in four of those six matchups.
- Chile have remarkably claimed just a single win from their last 15 competitive appearances across all competitions – a rut that stems all the way back to October 2023.
- Tuesday’s guests have drawn a blank in five of their previous six qualifying appearances.
- Likewise, Chile have failed to find the net in any of their last six World Cup qualifying matchups on foreign soil.
Conclusion
Two camps who know that their fading qualifying dreams are hanging in the balance, we could be set for a nail-biting affair on Tuesday night. With Bolivia failing to find the net in four of their last six appearances, Chile have also gained an unwanted reputation for their glaring struggles in the final third. With La Roja drawing a blank in all of their previous six straight qualifying showdowns on foreign soil, chances could come at a in midweek.
Verdict: Both teams to score – No
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
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