Argentina, the current world champions, maintained their lead at the top of the World Cup qualifying charts, despite the failure to record a win in their last competitive outing. Meanwhile, Bolivia raised their heads into matchday nine, advancing their chances to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in close to three decades.
Match Preview
Argentina’s 1-1 draw against Venezuela on Thursday night was not what they had hoped for, but it was enough to boost their position at the top of the table. Lionel Scaloni’s team are now ahead by three points after the mid-way stage of the qualifiers with 19 points on the board, courtesy of some surprise defeats for complications and Uruguay.
Argentina had gone one-up by Nicolas Otamendi’s first-half goal, but Venezuela had far more chance, swallowing over 18 clear chances against the six attempts of Albiceleste and equalizing through a Salomon Rondon goal.
A lot of credit should also go toward Argentina, who continue to look pretty solid on the pitch-protective wise, having now let in eight goals in the last 20 qualifiers. However, they managed to win only two of their last five games.
The current champions would relish an opportunity to set their ship straight when they run up against Bolivia, who have sometimes found it hard on the road. Argentina has won a whopping 10 times in the 11 contests played against Bolivia in World Cup qualifications at home, with only one being a drawn match.
Bolivia is coming to this match with lifted confidence. Last month saw them win their first away World Cup qualifying match in more than three decades, and it has kept them buoyant throughout the rest of the few games that followed, with Oscar Villegas in charge and cutting a decent line after three out of three qualifying matches.
Their shocking 1-0 success over Colombia last month was especially amazing, taking into account they played with 10 people for 70 minutes. The change from La Paz to the much higher height of El Alto has given Bolivia an additional benefit in their home games, assisting them with getting triumphs over Venezuela and Colombia. Presently sitting in one of the programmed qualifying spots, Bolivia will mean to proceed with their energy against Argentina.
Group News
Argentina’s Lionel Messi gotten back to the public group interestingly since their Copa America win yet had a calm presentation against Venezuela. Messi is supposed to begin once more, possible close by Thiago Almada, who dazzled with his new structure for Botafogo. Lautaro Martinez stays a critical choice off the seat. Emiliano Martinez will miss the game as he serves the second of a two-match suspension, while Cristian Romero returns in the wake of missing the Venezuela game because of yellow card gathering.
For Bolivia, Miguelito has been their champion player, scoring in three continuous games in spite of restricted playing time for his club, Santos. Bolivia will be without Hector Cuellar, who is suspended after his red card against Colombia. Best option goalkeeper Carlos Lampe remains sidelined with a physical issue, and both Ervin Vaca and Yomar Rocha have likewise removed from the crew.
Argentina possible starting lineup:
Rulli; Molina, Otamendi, Romero, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, Lo Celso; L. Martinez, Alvarez, Messi
Bolivia:possible starting lineup:
Viscarra; Medina, Haquin, Suarez, Sagredo; Robson Matheus, Villamil, R. Vaca; Miguelito, Algaranaz, Chura
Argentina will hope to expand their lead at the top with a success, while Bolivia desire to proceed with their exceptional spat this passing effort.
