Prediction: Bolivia vs Argentina

Verdict: Argentina win

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to clinch back-to-back World Cup qualifying victories on Tuesday night, Argentina will travel to La Paz when they meet Bolivia.

Bolivia

Starting with the hosts, opening their World Cup qualifying campaign this month once again tipped as a landslide underdog, La Verde certainly couldn’t have wished for a tougher first test. Eventually getting hit with a routine 5-1 drumming away at South American heavyweights Brazil, Gustavo Costas’ side will be more than aware that they face another monumental challenge here. Failing to find any kind of stability and marking their return to international duties last week with a 2-1 friendly defeat at the hands of Panama, the Greens have claimed just a single victory from any of their previous 12 straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to January 2022. Suffering a 3-0 loss when they last met the reigning world champions two years ago, Bolivia should be bracing themselves for another major examination in La Paz.

Team News

Blown away against Brazil over the weekend as they suffered that 5-1 drumming, Costas could be tempted to make a few alterations here. Spanish-based midfielder Jaume Cuellar could be handed the chance to make a first competitive start in midweek.

Likewise, coming off the bench and bagging a consolation strike in Belem a few days ago, 26-year-old Victor Agrebo will be hoping for a full recall on Tuesday night.

Argentina

As for the visitors, opening their qualifying adventure with a rugged display on home soil last weekend as they landed a 1-0 victory at home against Ecuador, the mood in Argentina’s camp remains at a red-hot high. Making real history out in Qatar over the winter as they got their hands on a first World Cup trophy since 1986, the South American icons are in the midst of a record-breaking romp. Continuing to gain a string of plaudits and simply looking to lay down another marker here, Lionel Scaloni’s high-flying squad have remarkably lost just one of their last 42 straight appearances across all competitions. With that history-making run stemming all the way back to July 2019, Argentina also hold a fearsome qualifying record on their travels. It should be highlighted, the reigning world champions have not suffered a single qualifying defeat on foreign soil since March 2017.

Team News

Bagging the winner against Ecuador over the weekend and tipped as a standout contender to get his hands on an eighth Ballon d’Or crown this year, Lionel Messi will once again spearhead Argentina’s attack here. The Inter Miami superstar should be joined in the final third by Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez.

Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez will be partnered with Liverpool summer recruit Alexis Mac Allister in Scaloni’s midfield. Aston Villa shot-stopper Emi Martinez will start between the sticks and earn his 31st international cap here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back in September 2021, Argentina cruised their way to a routine 3-0 victory.
• On a similar note, Tuesday’s guests have won seven of their previous eight appearances against Bolivia.
• The reigning world champions have remarkably suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 42 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to July 2019.
• Likewise, Argentina have not suffered a single World Cup qualifying defeat on foreign soil since March 2017
• Scaloni’s side have secured back-to-back wins in Bolivia by an aggregate score of 6-2.

Conclusion

Opening their World Cup qualifying campaign with a gritty 1-0 victory at home against Ecuador over the weekend, Argentina will simply be looking to lay down another marker here. Making real history over the winter as they got their hands on a first world crown since 1986, the South American heavyweights are riding a record-breaking flurry. Landing a routine 3-0 romp when they last met Bolivar for a Copa America showdown back in September 2021, we are expecting a similar outcome on Tuesday night.

Verdict: Argentina win

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Luckster