Full Previews to be provided for the following two matches:
Uruguay - Brazil and Argentina - Colombia
Bolivia - Venezuela
Date: 06-06-09
City: La Paz
After their historic 6-1 demolition of Argentina in April, Bolivia will be
hoping to claim another three points against Venezuela that will keep them in
with an outside chance of finishing in fifth place. Bolivia trail Venezuela by
one point and the desperation of both teams means the match will be highly
contested.
Bolivia boss Erwin Sanchez has yet to announce his starting XI, because he has
a number of players in doubt for the match.
But the biggest loss is that of
star striker Joaquin Botero, who announced his international retirement after
starring in the victory over Argentina. This means Sanchez has yet to decide
who will partner new Werder Bremen signing Marcelo Martins Moreno in the
attack. It will either be Diego Cabrera of Independiente Medellin or Pablo
Escobar of Santo Andre.
Venezuela picked up a crucial 2-0 win over Colombia in their last qualifier,
and La Vinotinto will be looking for another victory against Bolivia. They have
struggled a great deal when playing away from home throughout their campaign
and will need to be very solid in defence at all moments. Venezuela are the
only South American team never to have qualified for the World Cup and a loss
here could mean they will have to wait another four years to do so.
The high-altitude factor at the Hernando Siles stadium will surely trouble the visitors.
When the teams met in San Cristobal in the first round of the qualifiers
Venezuela recorded a 5-3 win. This encounter also promises many goals.
Goal.com Prediction: Bolivia 3-1 Venezuela
Paraguay - Chile
Date: 06-06-09
City: Asuncion
Paraguay currently lead the South American group and have practically assured
themselves of a place in South Africa, but they will be hoping to make sure of
this with a victory over high flying Chile.
The Paraguayans have proved to be
the most consistent team of the continent, but they have not always had it
their way.
After losing 2-0 to Uruguay in Montevideo, they needed a last-gasp strike to
rescue a point against Ecuador in Quito. But Los Guaranies are expected to
return to winning ways at home to Chile.
Chile will be desperate for the three
points, because if they claim a positive result it would steer them closer
towards their first World Cup since 1998.
Marcelo Bielsa counts with an extremely confident bunch of players, and
although they were recently thrashed 4-0 by Japan in the Kirin Cup, they fielded a second-rate
team.
With all of their stars back, except for maybe Humberto Suazo who is nursing an ankle injury, Chile will be hoping to upset Paraguay at the Defensores del Chaco stadium.
If Chile return home with a positive result they will come into their next
match against Bolivia with high morale. This could be essential for their World
Cup chances.
It is likely to be a very highly contested encounter, particularly because the
Chileans will be after sweet revenge, after being thrashed 3-0 by Paraguay at home in
Santiago in the first round.
Goal.com Prediction: Paraguay 2-1 Chile
Peru - Ecuador
Date: 07-06-09
City: Lima
Ecuador know that anything less than the three points against Peru will
severely dent their World Cup chances. The Ecuadorians have qualified for the
last two World Cups, and come into this clash as the overwhelming favourites,
particularly because Peru have experienced such a disastrous campaign.
Peru, with only one victory from twelve matches, have been by
far the worst team
of the competition, and on current form it seems that Ecuador are much
too
strong for them. Not only are Ecuador very solid in defence but they
are also
very versatile when moving forward, and they tend to take advantage of
vulnerable teams like Peru.
Ecuador have impressed when playing away from home, and they will be
motivated to win their first match after three negative results.
The good news for Peru however, is that Hamburg striker Paulo Guerrero returns
to the side after completing a six-match suspension after verbally abusing a
referee. Peru will also look to the inspiration of Fiorentina midfielder Juan
Vargas.
Back in 2007 Ecuador hammered Peru 5-1, and unless Peru pick up their
game they could experience another crushing defeat.
Goal.com Prediction: Peru 2-2 Ecuador
Gregory Sica, Goal.com
South American World Cup Qualifiers Preview
