Conmebol World Cup Qualifiers: Preview
This week is shaping up to be one of the more exciting rounds for Conmebol World Cup Qualifiers. Many teams are still fighting for the last two automatic spots to Qatar and one spot to play in the international playoff game. With four rounds left to play, this week's matchups will be full of drama and will mostly shake up the entire table.
Source: World Soccer Talk
Thursday’s matches start with Brazil facing Ecuador. Ecuador, a team that has won two out of their last three games, looks to keep this momentum going into a tough matchup against the five-time world cup champions. Brazil have yet to lose a qualifier game and have already qualified to Qatar with four rounds left to play. All eyes will be on this matchup in Quito, Ecuador, as many teams in the table could benefit from a loss from the home side in this matchup.
Behind Ecuador on the table sit Colombia and Peru, who are level at 17 points but separated by goal difference. As the table currently sits, Colombia is in 4th, the last automatic slot to Qatar, leaving Peru in 5th, the international playoff spot. Friday’s matchup in Barranquilla, Colombia, shapes up to be one of the most exciting matchups in the round. A win for either team means a three-point advantage on the other in the fight for the 4th place spot.
Source: us.as.com
Close behind the two teams sits Chile in the 6th place spot with 16 points, who do not have an easy task as they face the Copa America Champions Argentina. After winning three out of their last four games, Chile has risen from the dead and put itself in a position to take the 4th spot with a win over Argentina and tie from Peru and Colombia. Chile seems to have the matchup in their favor as they host an Argentinian team who is playing without Lionel Messi.
Source: For The Win
Equal to Chile with 16 points is Uruguay, who also have no easy task as they take a trip to Asuncion to face Paraguay. Uruguay usually is a protagonist when it comes to the qualifiers, but with three straight losses, many are beginning to wonder whether they will even make it to the 5th spot on the table and play the playoff game. Paraguay, who at 13 points in theory still have a chance to make it to the tournament has no easy road ahead of them as to get to Qatar they would have to get a win over Brazil.
Below Uruguay in the table sits Bolivia at 15 points who face a disappointing Venezuela side who has won a total of 2 games. Bolivia has been making the qualifying race fascinating after a dominating performance against Uruguay. The road to Qatar will not be easy for Bolivia as they face Colombia and Brazil.
Source: Bola VIP
Schedule for this week's CONMEBOL matchups:
Thursday (All ET)
Ecuador vs Brazil 4 PM
Paraguay vs Uruguay 6 PM
Chile vs Argentina 7:15 PM
Friday (All ET)
Colombia vs Peru 4 PM
Venezuela vs Bolivia 5 PM