World Cup 2022: Samba Boys Ready to Clinch Top Spot

Bolivia vs Brazil

Brazil’s excellent World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign is coming to a close. The Samba Boys – who have gone undefeated thus far, but still have a matchup with fierce rivals Argentina still to come – need one more win to secure top spot in South American qualifying.

The World Cup 2022 betting odds will be overwhelmingly in their favour to get that win when they face second-from-bottom Bolivia in La Paz.

The Bolivians have lost their last three games and seem ready for qualifying to over and done with. But can they pull off one more surprise against the Samba Boys?

Talking Points

Neymar continues Pele pursuit

Brazil continued their excellent World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign as they crushed Chile 4-0, a result that puts La Roja in serious jeopardy of missing out on Qatar.

Neymar, who missed the most recent round of qualifiers in January, made a successful return to the Brazil side as he led the line and scored from the penalty spot, his eighth goal in qualifying.

That was also the PSG star’s 71st career international goal in 117 caps, putting him just six goals back of Pele at the top of Brazil’s all-time goalscoring chart.

Neymar has had a rough club campaign with PSG this year, which was capped off by a shock Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid.

The Brazilian superstar will no doubt be keen to put those club woes behind him by creating more World Cup 2022 highlights to his tally against a Bolivia squad that will not have much to play for.

Fringe players look to impress

With qualification already secured, Brazil coach Tite will likely continue to make some changes to his side in order to give players on the fringes of his squad one last chance to impress ahead of the World Cup.

Ajax forward Antony was handed a start against Chile as Leeds’ Raphinha had to withdraw from the squad due to Covid. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli came on as a substitute to earn his first career Brazil cap. Look for those two youngsters to get another run-out against Bolivia.

And in defence, the likes of Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, and Casemiro could all be given a rest after they all started against Chile.

Eder Militao, who has been excellent for Real Madrid this season, could get a chance to impress at the heart of the Selecao’s defence.

Bolivia already beaten down

Bolivia’s poor World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign is coming to a fittingly disappointing end. They suffered a 3-0 defeat to Colombia last time out, their third straight qualifying defeat. They’ve conceded at least three goals in all three defeats, which includes a particularly humiliating 4-1 defeat to bottom side Venezuela.

To make matters worse, the Bolivians will be without star striker Marcelo Moreno, who is the top scorer in South American qualifying with 10 goals.

With Moreno out, Juan Montenegro got the surprise start against Colombia, which was only his second career cap. But coach Cesar Farias doesn’t have too many other options on the bench. Bruno Miranda is the leading scorer in the current squad with just 2 goals in 14 games.

History

As one wuld expect, Brazil have dominated Bolivia over the years. The Selecao have an overwhelming 22-5 edge in terms of wins, while they have played out four draws.

The Brazilians have won out of their last five meetings with the Bolivians, with La Verde failing to score in any of those games. Meanwhile, the Selecao have scored three or more goals in all four of their wins.

But Bolivia did hold Brazil to a goalless draw in their last World Cup qualifying match at home back in 2017.

Betting Tip 

SBOTOP odds have Brazil installed as overwhelming 1.47 favourites away against Bolivia, who are priced at 6.00. Meanwhile, a draw is at 4.20.

It’s hard to see anything other than a Brazil win, and the only question is by how much. With Neymar motivated to get more goals and other Brazilians keen to impress, look for the Selecao to deliver another beatdown on a Bolivian side that does not have much motivation left in this qualifying campaign.

 

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