Prediction: Brazil vs Chile

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 4/9

Bookmaker: Unibet

Brazil are scheduled to welcome Chile to the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Friday in the South American World Cup qualifiers. The match will be the 16th of the campaign for the hosts, 16th for the visitors.

Brazil

Brazil are currently on a fantastic unbeaten run in the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifications of 32 matches, and they’ll certainly be looking to stretch it to 33 against Chile. Having already secured automatic qualification for the tournament in Qatar, they will still want to get as much as possible from this encounter in order to keep the top spot in the pack which they occupy at the moment with 39 points, four more than Argentina in second place.

Tite’s men have looked particularly strong at home recently. The last six matches in this campaign include a goalless draw away to Colombia, a 4-1 win at home over Uruguay, a 1-0 home win over Colombia, 0-0 draw away to Argentina, a 1-1 draw away to Ecuador, and a 4-0 win at home over Paraguay.

Raphinha, Philippe Coutinho, Antony and Rodrygo were all on target in that match.

Team News

Raphinha has missed this trip; the Leeds winger has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19. Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes has also been left in England, remaining with his girlfriend as they expect their first child to be born.

Gabriel’s place in the squad has been taken by Atletico Madrid’s Felipe, but Chelsea’s Thiago Silva, Paris Saint-Germain’s Marquinhos and Real Madrid’s Eder Militao are all likely to stay ahead of him in the pecking order.

Chile

The situation is completely different for Chile. Sitting in sixth place with 19 points, they’re three behind Uruguay in fourth, the last spot to offer automatic involvement at the World Cup. They obviously have a tough task ahead, facing Uruguay in the final match of the campaign.

The last six matches Martin Lasarte’s men have played in these qualifications are a 2-0 home win over Paraguay, a 3-0 home win over Venezuela, a 0-1 win away to Paraguay, a 0-2 home defeat to Ecuador, a 1-2 home defeat to Argentina, and a 2-3 triumph away to Bolivia at the start of last month.

Inter Milan forward Alexis Sanchez broke the deadlock after 14 minutes in that match and scored again in the 85th. Marcelino Nunez bagged one in between (77′), with goals from Marc Enoumba (37′) and Marcelo Martins Moreno (88′) only bringing consolation for the home side.

Team News

Interestingly enough, Blackburn Rovers striker Ben Brereton Diaz has been called up despite being sidelined with an ankle injury for a while, and he will be assessed ahead of the game.

Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal is back with his national team after missing the last match through suspension, and he’ll likely be joined in the middle of the park by Galatasaray’s Erick Pulgar and Charles Aranguiz of Bayer Leverkusen. Sanchez will probably lead the line together with Eduardo Vargas of Atletico Mineiro.

Conclusion

Brazil are very strong favourites to win this clash, with their great home form, their superior quality and the always loud support at the Maracana in mind. There won’t be too much speculation when the opening whistle goes, and Claudio Bravo in the Chile goal will likely have much to do.

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 4/9

Bookmaker: Unibet