Watching South American icons Argentina claim a first World Cup crown since 1986 over the winter, the new qualifying campaign looks set to be another rollercoaster affair.
With things getting underway in the early hours of Friday, we have found a pair of intriguing affairs that can potentially offer a great return for your weekend flutter.
00:00 Colombia vs Venezuela
Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny last year as they missed out on the chance to punch their World Cup ticket, it is no secret that Colombia have plenty of pressure on their shoulders this time around.
However, signing off their pre-qualifying preparations with a stellar 2-0 victory away at European heavyweights Germany, Friday’s hosts are enjoying what has quickly become an extended purple patch.
Likewise, including a 2-1 win away at Japan back on March 28th, Colombia have won each of their last three appearances by an aggregate score of 5-1.
Smelling a golden chance when they get their qualifying adventure underway this weekend, it should also be noted that Nestor Lorenzo’s side are unbeaten in each of their previous 11 showdowns across all formats – a run that stems all the way back to February 2022.
On the flip side, while Venezuela might have made a string of improvements since opening 2023, Friday’s hosts will know that they face a real challenge when they get their qualifying campaign underway this weekend.
Showing a string of qualifying struggles last year as they lost 10 of their final 12 appearances, La Vinotinto have also gained a reputation for their nightmare rut on foreign soil.
In fact, Fernando Batista’s side have remarkably lost each of their previous nine straight World Cup qualifying showdowns on the road – a run that stems all the way back to October 2017.
Hit with a 1-0 loss when they welcomed Colombia to the Estadio Cachamay for their most recent meeting 17 months ago, we are expecting a similar outcome here.
Betting Tip: Colombia win to nil @ 1/1 with Pribet
01:00 Argentina vs Ecuador
Making real history out in Qatar over the winter as they got their hands on a first World Cup crown since back in 1986, Argentina have only continued on a record-breaking flurry. With the mood in their camp at a red-hot high, Friday’s hosts will certainly be looking to make an early qualifying statement here.
Signing off their pre-qualifying preparations with a routine 2-0 victory against Indonesia, Lionel Scaloni’s men have now won each of their last 10 straight appearances across all competitions continuing on from their iconic World Cup romp.
Rightfully tipped as a landslide contender to breeze their way through their qualifying adventure, it should also be highlighted that the South American heavyweights have remarkably lost just one of their previous 41 straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to July 2019.
With attacking talisman and seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi already notching 11 strikes since making the move to Inter Miami this summer, Argentina will be excited to make a return to Buenos Aires this weekend.
On the flip side, suffering World Cup frustration in the Middle East last winter as they missed out on the chance to punch their knockout stage ticket, Ecuador will be more than aware that they face a monumental challenge in the early hours of Friday.
Despite signing off their pre-qualifying preparations with three friendly victories on the bounce, La Tri will be worried by their most recent trip to the reigning world champions.
Hit with a 3-0 drumming when they travelled to Argentina two years ago, it should also be noted that Ecuador have won just one of their last seven qualifying showdowns on foreign soil.
Betting Tip: Argentina to score in both halves @ 23/20 with Luckster
Friday’s South American Qualifying Double
- Colombia vs Venezuela – Colombia win to nil @ 1/1
- Argentina vs Ecuador – Argentina to score in both halves @ 23/20
Place a £10 bet on our Daily Double with Vegas Land and pocket £43.00 if all predictions are correct.
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