The CONMEBOL connection: No Messi no problem for world champions against bruised Brazil

As the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America edge towards their conclusion, the domestic Brasileirão returns and on hand to guide you through the season is our South American expert Nathan Joyes. Take a look at his first four-fold acca, starting in Buenos Aires midweek.

Leg 1: Argentina to beat Brazil @ 6/5 [Wednesday, 12pm]

Argentina have dominated the South America World Cup qualifiers and a point against Brazil will be good enough for them to officially qualify for the 2026 edition. 

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Lionel Scaloni has built a squad that is a winning machine, and even without Lionel Messi last week against Uruguay, his team secured victory in Montevideo.

Brazil are still in the middle of their transitional period, and having lost the reverse fixture 1-0, they travel to Buenos Aires a few key players short. It begs the question over the value of short-priced favourites and if they are really worth it? 

Alisson, Gabriel, Bruno Guimarães and Gerson will all be absent, and Dorival Junior may struggle to keep Julian Alvarez quiet for 90 minutes. The hosts can qualify in style against their underperforming arch-rivals.

Leg 2: Boca Juniors draw no bet vs Newell’s Old Boys @ 7/10 [Saturday, 6pm]

Newell’s Old Boys head into this clash unbeaten in three, but there’s a lot left to be desired about Cristian Fabbiani’s team. Having previously suffered four defeats in a row - scoring once - a match up against a resurgent Boca side will be one of their toughest tests this season.

And Boca’s big spending is paying off. Securing five wins on the bounce across all competitions, including a 4-0 win against Defensa y Justicia last time out, the Argentina giants sit comfortably at the top of Group A by two points.

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On the road, they brushed Central Cordoba to one side with a 3-0 victory, where forward Milton Gimenez was on the scoresheet alongside his strike partner Miguel Merentiel. Boca are ticking along nicely at the moment, and there’s too much quality to ignore in this tie.

Leg 3: Sao Paulo and under 4.5 goals vs Sport Recife @ 7/10 [Saturday, 9:30pm]

Brazil’s top flight is back this weekend and Sao Paulo host recently promoted Sport Recife. Last season, the hosts produced the third best home form, picking up more points than Palmeiras and Flamengo.

This season, they’ve strengthened their squad with the additions of Arsenal’s Cedric, Porto’s Wendell, River Plate’s Enzo Diaz and above all, Shanghai Port’s Oscar. Throw in Lucas Moura, it’s safe to say Lucas Zubeldia has built a strong unit.

Sao Paulo’s incredible home atmosphere and squad depth should be enough to beat Sport Recife, who are expected to flirt with relegation over the next eight months.

Leg 4: Both teams to score in Flamengo vs Internacional @ 19/20 [Sunday, 12pm]

Two teams that are expected to compete towards the top of the table clash at the Maracana in the early hours of Sunday morning. However, if there’s a match worth staying up for this weekend, it’s certainly this one.

Flamengo have thrived under their new head coach and former player Filipe Luis, who has picked up three titles and lost just once in his six months in charge. A team full of superstars are set to compete for the Brasileirão title.

Yet so can Internacional. Enner Valencia will lead the line after returning from international duty with a brace against Venezuela, and the visitors also have Rafael Borre to call upon for a goal. 

This fixture, which was the final game of the season in December 2024, finished 3-2 to Flamengo. There’s no reason why we won’t see goals from two of the best attacking sides in the league.

FIRST's CONMEBOL acca overall odds: 23/2 with Betway

[UK Time]. Odds correct at the time of writing.