2018 World Cup qualifiers: Colombia can continue Argentina angst

Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | November 16, 2015

Colombia v Argentina

Colombia couldn’t hope for better chance to beat Argentina

The recent head-to-head record between the Coffee Growers and La Albiceleste has three goalless draws in the last four but, given Argentine injuries, this surely represents a golden opportunity for Colombia to captialise.

Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino has seen the strength in depth stripped from Argentina’s defence and attack, which is why the hosting Colombians are firm 23/20 favourites with Coral for victory in Barranquilla.

Missing Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez up top, plus Ezequiel Garay and Pablo Zabaleta at the back, makes it tough to be positive about La Albiceleste’s chances at 5/2.

Even the trend of draws continuing at 11/5 is unlikely because there will be an inexperienced international player and thus a weak link in Argentina’s rearguard. A return of just two points and one goal from three games is cause for concern.

Stage set for James Rodriguez

Just because La Albiceleste’s star turns are absent doesn’t mean there won’t be an X-factor on offer. It comes from the Coffee Growers in the form of Real Madrid attacker James Rodriguez, who scored the equaliser in a battling draw with Chile last time out.

Rodriguez rates a solid bet to repeat at a tasty 23/10 in the anytime market. AC Milan summer signing Carlos Bacca is slightly shorter at 2/1, while Sporting Lisbon striker Teofilo Gutierrez is the same price as James.

Argentina will need someone to step up from forward foursome Gonzalo Higauin, who hasn’t scored since the Copa America; young Paulo Dybala, scorer last time out Ezequiel Lavezzi (14/5 to net again anytime), or Angel Di Maria (a tasty 10/3 in that market).

Colombia do appeal at 23/10 for a win to nil, as their opponents are really struggling without some Messi magic.

Uruguay v Chile

La Roja ready for Montevideo match

Reigning South American champions Chile play the previous Copa America holders Uruguay with both teams posting strong starts to World Cup qualifying.

La Roja, a decent 11/5 price to win in Montevideo, are the top scorers with seven goals, while Oscar Tabarez’s team are one behind and curiously not short of firepower despite the continued absence of star striker Luis Suarez through suspension.

Curiously it’s the defenders as much as La Celeste’s attackers that are chipping in with Diego Godin (13/2 in the anytime market) and Martin Caceres scoring as many as the frontmen combined.

Uruguay have Edinson Cavani back from his own ban following his sending off in the Copa America loss to Chile, and better discipline for the hosts here will be key if they are to live up to their tag of 7/5 match favourites.

This game promises goals

PSG forward Cavani looks a little short at 9/5 anytime, but Bordeaux counterpart Diego Rolan, who has scored against this opposition before, could be worth a wager at 5/2 in the same market.

Jorge Sampaoli’s Reds have usual suspects Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas in fine form, with both joining box-to-box midfielder Arturo Vidal in that bracket of finding the net in previous fixtures against La Celeste.

It pays to hedge your bets across these established Chilean names, as Sanchez (11/2 for the opener after doing so last time out on the road), Vargas (13/5 anytime) and Vidal (a terrific 3/1 in that market) all represent value to continue their purple patches.

Chile are a sensational 6/1 to win with both teams being on target, while this should be a high-scoring affair and total match goals being over 2.5 rates as a solid bet at 11/8.

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Coral’s top tip: Chile do look sweet at 6/1 to beat Uruguay and both teams score.