Chile vs Argentina
Argentina will be without talisman Lionel Messi for their upcoming World Cup 2022 qualifiers after his recent bout with Covid-19.
La Albiceleste have already qualified for Qatar and are still without defeat after 13 games. They will look to keep that unbeaten run going when they face Chile in their upcoming qualifier.
La Roja are currently in sixth in the CONMEBOL standings and are in danger of missing out on the World Cup for the first time since 2006. Can Chile take advantage of Messi’s absence and hand Argentina their first defeat in qualifying?
Talking Points
Messi missing for Argentina
Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has been left out of the Argentina squad for this upcoming round of World Cup qualifiers. The Paris Saint-Germain star had only recently returned from his bout with Covid, and with Argentina’s place in Qatar already secure, head coach Lionel Scaloni has decided to give the 34-year-old a bit more rest to regain his fitness.
With Messi – the third-leading scorer in South American qualifying with six goals – not in the side, the onus will be on Lautaro Martinez and Paulo Dybala to lead the Argentine attack.
Dybala is the more in-form player of the Italy-based duo, having scored three goals in his last five appearances for Juventus. But the 28-year-old has hardly been at his best for his country and has only scored twice in 31 career caps.
Martinez has scored just once in his last six appearances for Serie A champions Inter, but he has a much better track record in international football with 17 goals in 35 caps, including five in this qualifying campaign.
Aside from Messi and injured Tottenham defender Cristian Romero, Argentina don’t have any other major absentees from their squad. Veteran Angel Di Maria, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, and Giovani Lo Celso are all available in midfield, while Nicolas Otamendi will continue to marshall the Argentine defence.
Chile’s World Cup hopes in doubt
Chile’s World Cup 2022 odds of qualifying are looking uncertain at the moment. They are currently sixth in the South American standings, although they are just one point behind Colombia for the fourth and final automatic spot.
La Roja lost their most recent qualifier 0-2 to Ecuador, which snapped a run of three straight wins. Midfielder Arturo Vidal was sent off after just 13 minutes and will now be suspended against Argentina.
Vidal’s absence is a huge blow for Chile. The 34-year-old has 32 goals in 131 international caps, and he has provided his share of World Cup 2022 highlights with a team-leading four goals in qualifying.
Record goalscorer Alexis Sanchez (46 goals in 144 caps) is fit to play, though, and he has been in fine form for Inter, scoring four goals over his last eight appearances.
The similarly in-form Ben Brereton will likely partner Sanchez up front. The Blackburn Rovers striker is second in the EFL Championship with 20 goals and has scored twice in his last three appearances for his country.
Meanwhile, Chile have been quite decent defensively despite wing-back Mauricio Isla (33 years old) and centre-back Gary Medel (34) getting up in age.
Goalkeeper and captain Claudio Bravo, 38, has conceded just 16 times in qualifying, the fourth-best defensive record in South America.
History
Argentina have absolutely dominated Chile over the years. They have won an astounding 61 of 94 matches, with Chile winning just eight.
Two of Chile’s wins have come in the last seven years, but both have come on penalties in the Copa America.
Moreover, Argentina and Chile have drawn each of their last three meetings, including back-to-back 1-1 draws in June 2021.
Betting Tip
 |
 | Chile vs Argentina | 1X2 Draw @ 2.99 |
| January 28, 08:15 (GMT+8) |
SBOTOP odds have Chile priced as narrow 2.59 favourites at home, while Argentina are pegged at 2.78 to win without Messi. A draw is at 2.99.
While Argentina are still quite formidable with no Messi in the squad, they might not have all that much motivation to go all out to win against Chile since they have already qualified. Meanwhile, Chile are still fighting for their lives and will be keen to give the Argentines a good battle.
That’s why I anticipate another hard-fought contest between the two sides, with the match ending in another draw.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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