Chile have not had much success in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. The Chileans have taken five points from 15 possible in qualifying thus far. Bolivia are also struggling and have taken four points from 15 available to them.
If neither national team are able to collect points soon, they will spend 2022 at home and miss out on the World Cup in Qatar. Chile head into the game following a hard-fought 1-1 draw versus Argentina away.
Chile conceded a penalty to Argentina as Lionel Messi put away the spot kick. Alexis Sanchez hit back just over 10 minutes later to give Chile an equaliser. The two teams played out the draw with nothing much occurring in the second period.
Bolivia, who are ranked 81st in the world according to FIFA, are coming off of their first win in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying.
They defeated Venezuela 3-1 in La Paz. Venezuela are one of the other strugglers in South America World Cup qualifying.
CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying leading scorer Marcelo Moreno scored twice and Diego Bejarano added another for the win. The victory ended a six-match winless streak for the Bolivians.
Chile have posted a brilliant record against Bolivia in head-to-head matches. They have a record of 30W-9D-7L versus Bolivia all-time.
Their first meeting came in 1926 with Chile winning 7-1. The teams’ most recent match came in March 2021 with Chile winning as well 2-1.
While 2020 was up and down for Chile, they have rebounded in 2021. Chile have played just twice this year, however. They have posted a win versus Bolivia as previously mentioned and the 1-1 draw last week versus Argentina.
Bolivia’s 3-1 win versus Venezuela ended a two-match losing streak. Cesar Farias’ team did defeat one of the worst teams in South American qualifying. They could struggle against one of the better sides in qualifying.
Chile are two points off of fifth-place Uruguay in CONMEBOL standings. A win could see them move into the top five with results going their way elsewhere.
Bolivia striker Moreno is in great form going into the game. He leads CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying in goals with five. Moreno could get back on the scoresheet. Bolivia have been guilty of conceding goals as 13 have been allowed in five games.
Chile and Bolivia could end in a stalemate this week. Neither side have been good in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying.
With both struggling, a score draw could be on the cards on Wednesday.