Early Bird Tips for South America World Cup Qualifiers: Bold Bielsa To Deliver Without Suarez

With the World Cup only finishing nine months ago, we’re already looking ahead to the next one here at bettingexpert with a selection of early bird tips for the South America World Cup qualifiers.

Bielsa’s first competitive match at the helm catches the eye, while Colombia and Argentina complete the trio of selections. Expert Nathan Joyes provides early bird tips for South America’s World Cup qualifiers.

• Early Bird Tips for Colombia vs Venezuela: Colombia and Under 3.5 Goals
• Early Bird Tips for Argentina vs Ecuador: Uruguay to Win
• Early Bird Tips for Uruguay vs Chile: Argentina and Under 3.5 Goals

Acca odds: 6.00

Odds via bet365 as at 11:00, 4th September 2023. Odds may now differ.

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Colombia vs Venezuela: Enough experience to edge past opponents

Colombia, South America World Cup Qualifiers, Friday 8th September, 00:00 (UK)

Colombia failed to make it to the Qatari World Cup but have the perfect opportunity to kickstart their new campaign with three points.

Nestor Lorenzo has once again opted for a more experienced squad rather than turning towards up-and-coming youngsters. Yet the inclusion of Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, Inter’s Juan Cuadrado and Fluminense’s Jhon Arias should, in theory, offer enough against inferior opposition.

While Davinson Sanchez and Yerry Mina may not be the best centre-backs in South America, both should relish an opportunity to keep a clean sheet in Barranquilla on Friday.
In contrast to Lorenzo opting to choose six players plying their trade in England, Venezuela’s Fernando Batista doesn’t have that luxury. With the vast majority playing in the US, Mexico, Brazil or Ecuador, the gulf in quality is evident.

After a thoroughly disappointing campaign, Venezuela will want to make sure they drastically improve this time round. Having finished bottom of the pile with just ten points, Venezuela lost all nine away matches. They may be on a seven-game unbeaten run, but narrow wins over Guatemala, Syria and Honduras aren’t anything to shout about.

Colombia’s similar squad to the last campaign only scored 11 goals at home, and blowing their opponents away isn’t something they are known for. A narrow victory creates a good-looking price worth chancing.

• Selection: Colombia Win and Under 3.5 Goals
• Best Odds: 1.86
• Bookmaker: bet365

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Argentina vs Ecuador: Professional performance anticipated in Buenos Aires

Argentina, South America World Cup Qualifiers, Friday 8th September (01:00) (UK)

The World Cup holders begin their title defence against Ecuador in the early hours of Friday morning. It’s always worth staying up to watch Lionel Messi represent his country – especially as he’s announced he won’t be there in 2026.

While these are moments we should saviour, it’s best not to get carried away with any handicap lines. Let’s not forget Ecuador held the Netherlands to a 1-1 draw in Qatar and were fairly unfortunate not to progress to the knockout stage.

Ecuador held Argentina to a 1-1 draw during the qualifiers in Guayaquil before suffering a 1-0 defeat in Buenos Aires – thanks to a Messi penalty in the 13th minute.

Although we witnessed Argentina breeze through the qualifiers, they failed to hammer anyone along the way. Scoring 14 goals in nine matches was enough to see them collect 21 points, as they only conceded two.

Even during the World Cup in Qatar, Argentina did enough each match to come out on top (minus the Saudi Arabia match).

Digging deeper, in their 25 home matches from the beginning of 2020, Argentina has only won by a three-goal margin twice – once against Estonia, the other against Curacao – both considerably weaker than Ecuador.

Argentina will need to keep an eye on Enner Valencia, who’s been in prolific form for Internacional in Brazil, but if they can keep him quiet, they shouldn’t face too many issues in front of their own fans.

A straightforward win is far too short, so I’m happy to suggest that Ecuador won’t be added to that very short list of teams blown away in Argentina in the opening round of qualifiers.

• Selection: Argentina and Under 3.5 Goals
• Best Odds: 2.00
• Bookmaker: bet365

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Uruguay vs Chile: Back Bielsa to win first competitive fixture

Uruguay, South America World Cup Qualifiers, Saturday 9th September, 00:00 (UK)

Now for the third and final early bird tip for the South America World Cup qualifiers, Uruguay disappointed in Qatar, and as a result, a new coach was appointed to change the squad’s direction.

Marcelo Bielsa was the main candidate for the role, and his services were secured – a huge coup considering the level of detail we’ve witnessed from the 68-year-old in recent years. A fresh look was swiftly introduced to the squad in recent friendlies, where 14 new faces were given the chance to impress.

With Uruguay U20’s recently winning the World Cup this summer, Bielsa also has a pool of young talent to choose from.

However, Luis Suarez looks set to miss out on Bielsa’s first competitive squad as the coach turns towards younger players, such as Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez, to be the future of Uruguay’s frontline.

At the time of writing, Bielsa has yet to announce his official squad, which is slightly concerning. However, the tactician has produced positive results and performances in recent friendlies, and Nunez has come out to express that his recent form has been down to Bielsa – not Klopp.

On the other hand, Chile continues pursuing the likes of Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez instead of looking to rebuild. The squad isn’t appealing to the eye, hasn’t won any of their last eight away matches, and scored just twice – both against Qatar.

• Selection: Uruguay to Win (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.75
• Bookmaker: bet365

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