CONMEBOL Connection: Venezuela can take giant leap towards first ever World Cup

A week before the Club World Cup begins, the South American World Cup qualifiers take centre stage.

So our man in the know, Nathan Joyes returns to bring his best four tips, starting in Asuncion before looking to wrap up his acca with a win in Brazil’s Serie B.

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Friday - 12AM - Paraguay vs Uruguay - BTTS NO at 7/11

Paraguay have missed out on the last three World Cups but they’ve not looked back since the appointment of Gustavo Alfaro post Copa America. 

Undefeated under his leadership (W4 D4), Alfaro has built a side that is proving impossible to beat - especially on home soil. 

Wins to nil against Brazil and Chile, as well as defeating Venezuela and Argentina, have propelled Paraguay into a promising position - and a win could see them jump into 2nd spot if results go their way.

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Post Copa America, there’s been a downturn in results for Uruguay. With just one win from eight matches, La Celeste have fallen off a cliff. Three 0-0 draws against Paraguay, Venezuela and Bolivia have followed, while a 1-0 defeat against Peru in Lima was incredibly worrying.

To make matters worse, key players are missing for Marcelo Bielsa’s side. Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde is absent due to injury, while Darwin Nunez is suspended and unavailable for La Celeste’s next two fixtures.

Paraguay have only conceded three goals at home - and with the reverse fixture ending 0-0, this one might just end up the same.

Friday - 2AM - Argentina to beat Chile at 7/10

Table toppers Argentina head to Santiago having already qualified for the World Cup - but Lionel Scaloni doesn’t let his team slack off - which is why the defending champions are eight points clear of Ecuador at the top of qualifying.

Their price is rather generous due to key absences, including Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister - but even without their two central midfielders, there’s plenty of talent in reserve to beat one of the weakest Chilean sides in recent history.

All eyes will be on River Plate’s Franco Mastantuno (17) who is in line to make his debut, and Chile’s ageing back line could be in for a tough evening having to manage him, Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi and company.

The hosts sit rock bottom and must win if they are to have any chance of reaching the World Cup next summer. 

However, having lost at home to Bolivia, and with no real talent coming through, it will be a miracle if they beat Argentina in round 15.

Friday - 11PM - Venezuela -1 asian handicap against Bolivia at 7/10

The nation sitting in the play-off spot is Venezuela - the only one in the table that has yet to make it to a World Cup. And although 6th place looks a little out of reach, a win against Bolivia would put some breathing room between them and the chasing pack.

And there’s no reason why they can’t record a convincing win in Caracas. Admittedly, they aren’t big hitters having scored just seven in as many games at home, but they’ve been rock solid defensively, conceding just twice.

They’ve held both Argentina and Brazil in previous rounds, while beating Paraguay, Venezuela and Chile to nil. With Salomon Rondon, Jefferson Savarino, and Yangel Herrera in their starting XI, they will have too much for Bolivia.

The visitors don’t perform away well from their high altitude. In fact, they’ve lost seven of their eight away matches, conceding 23 goals in seven matches - while scoring just four. 

Conceding over 3.2 goals per game is far from ideal, and Venezuela can take a massive step in the right direction to secure their first ever World Cup spot.

Saturday - 1:35AM - Cuiaba to beat Paysandu at 8/11

We finish our bi-weekly South American tour in Brazil’s Serie B, where Cuiaba face 20th placed Paysandu. The visitors have picked up just four points from a possible 30, and head into this fixture on the back of three defeats, conceding eight goals in the process.

Cuiaba, recently relegated from Brazil’s Serie A, are sat in 4th, and are in the hunt for immediate promotion back to the top flight. 

Although key players left, the club had the budget to replace them and keep them extremely competitive at this level.

At home, they’ve beaten league favourites Athletico PR, play-off contenders Ferroviária and Vila Nova in recent weeks - three sides far stronger than Serie B’s current worst team.

To make matters worse for the visitors, Andre Lima is suspended for the match, who’s arguably their best midfielder. Expect Cuiaba to take full advantage this weekend.

FIRST’s CONMEBOL acca overall odds: 7/1 (Betway)

Odds correct at the time of writing.