Uruguay are fourth in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings after seven matches. Oscar Tabarez’s team go into a showdown on Sunday against Bolivia with the chance to solidify their place in World Cup qualifying.
Bolivia are on the outside looking in at the top five of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings. The Green are eighth in the standings with six points from 21 possible. A win could take Bolivia into the intercontinental playoff places. However, Bolivia need results to go their way elsewhere.
⏳ ❌ Final del partido en el estadio Nacional de Lima.@SeleccionPeru 1-1 @Uruguay ⚽️ 24´ Renato Tapia (PER); 29´ Giorgian de Arrascaeta (URU)#ElEquipoQueNosUne pic.twitter.com/P3cLXUPwkR— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) September 3, 2021
⏳ ❌ Final del partido en el estadio Nacional de Lima.@SeleccionPeru 1-1 @Uruguay ⚽️ 24´ Renato Tapia (PER); 29´ Giorgian de Arrascaeta (URU)#ElEquipoQueNosUne pic.twitter.com/P3cLXUPwkR
It will be a difficult task for Bolivia to claim a win versus Uruguay on Sunday in Montevideo. Uruguay are unbeaten in five straight matches. Two of those five games ended in wins. The Sky Blues are coming off of back-to-back draws.
In midweek, Uruguay claimed a 1-1 draw away against Peru. Giorgian De Arrascaeta scored a 29th-minute goal to cancel out an earlier goal from Peru’s Renato Taipa.
Bolivia snatched a 1-1 draw against Colombia in midweek thanks to a goal from Fernando Saucedo. His goal with seven minutes left to play cancelled out an earlier strike from Colombia’s Roger Martinez.
Cesar Farias’ team will be without Carmelo Anez for the game against Uruguay after the player was sent off versus Colombia deep into second half stoppage-time. Bolivia’s last six games all ended without a win. Four of those six matches resulted in losses.
Bolivia’s team is mostly made up of domestic players. Just four players in the current international team come from leagues outside of Bolivia. Uruguay manager Tabarez was unable to call up Luis Suarez nor Edinson Cavani for the international matches.
Suarez is nursing a knee injury that was picked up in Atletico Madrid’s match before the international break. Cavani was unable to travel to South America following Premier League club’s decision not to release players to red listed countries.
Maxi Gomez should lead the line just as he did versus Peru. Meanwhile, De Arrascaeta will start on the wing and Brian Rodriguez could play on the other side of Gomez.
Uruguay have dominated the series of matches against Bolivia dating back to 1926. Uruguay have posted a record of 30W-7D-7L over the course of 44 all-time matches.
Sunday’s game should end in a 31st win for Uruguay against Bolivia. Five of the last seven games between these teams ended with more than 2.5 goals scored. Uruguay and Bolivia should see over 2.5 goals when these teams meet on Sunday in Montevideo as the Sky Blues win.