Peru vs Bolivia Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

The South America World Cup qualifiers are back and our expert Nathan Joyes has provided his Peru vs Bolivia Best Bet, team news, lineups and fixtures preview.

Peru and Bolivia are both fighting for 7th place which would see them qualify for a play-off spot to reach the World Cup in 2026. 

The hosts are currently six points behind Bolivia, but that deficit can be cut in half with a win in Lima. Although suffering two defeats on the road against Argentina and Brazil, a win and draw vs Uruguay and Chile has given Peru hope that their campaign isn’t over yet.

Bolivia, on the other hand, will firmly be relying on their form at El Alto to get them over the line. But can they pinch a point on their travels? Nathan analyses their chances.

Peru vs Bolivia Prediction: Hosts to claim three key points

Peru, World Cup Qualifiers, Friday, March 21st, 01:30 (UK)

Peru sit bottom of the pile after 12 rounds but a win puts them back into contention to make it to the 2026 World Cup. It’s a tall order to achieve that goal – especially having scored just three goals – but they won’t get a better opportunity against Bolivia in Lima.

Lima sits just 500 feet above sea level, a stark contrast from El Alto’s 13,620, and Peru’s guests certainly won’t enjoy leaving their usual surroundings.

Although Bolivia relishes playing at home, it makes travelling difficult when away from their home comforts. In fact, it has the opposite effect from their home advantage. The air is heavier, as is the ball, and we’ve seen Bolivia struggle for years on their travels as a direct result of this.

So before a ball has been kicked, it’s advantage Peru against a side that has one just one World Cup qualifier on the road in 30+ years. 

After Bolivia’s famous 2-1 win against struggling Chile, two heavy defeats against Argentina and Ecuador revealed how much work still needs to be done on the road if they are to make it to their first World Cup since 1994.

Away from the conditions, Peru have saved their best football for their home supporters. Unbeaten in their last three, Colombia and Chile could only leave with a point, while a Miguel Araujo header saw them claim their first victory against Uruguay. Game on in the race for 7th.

Although goals have been an issue, two of their most trusted strikers head into this fixture in form. Universitario’s Edison Flores has scored in back-to-back league games, while 41-year-old captain Paulo Guerrero has found a new lease of life at his new club, Alianza Lima, who has scored in all three league games this campaign.

The visitors have shipped in 20 of their 27 goals on the road, averaging 3.33 goals conceded to date – Peru won’t get a better opportunity to win and potentially lift them off the foot of the table.

This is a crucial game for both nations, but Bolivia will also have one eye on their tie against Uruguay in El Alto next week, and see that as another golden opportunity to get invaluable points on the board.

Peru’s main focus will be this tie. If they don’t win, they can kiss the next World Cup goodbye. Bookmakers haven’t been overly generous at 1.40, but a quick start from the hosts looks rather inviting.

Their 1st half Asian Handicap line is -0.5 at 1.975, and if Peru are to win this match, they may need to take control early on and take a lead into the half-time break.

• Peru vs Bolivia Prediction: Peru -0.5 1st Half Asian Handicap
• Best Odds:1.975
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Peru vs Bolivia Prediction odds via bet365 as at 18:00, March 17th, 2025. Odds may now differ.

Peru vs Bolivia Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups

Peru are struggling to score goals but as mentioned, they have two in-form forwards for the first time since the qualifiers began. Both Flores and Guerrero may well lead the line together as they look to secure their second win and put them back into contention to qualify.

Burnley’s Oliver Sonne also travels, who will be an important player alongside Boca Juniors’ Luis Advincula and Universitario’s Andy Polo.

Bolivia will be hoping their young forward, Miguelito, can once again provide the goods having scored four goals from his first six appearances for the national team. However, the 20-year-old heads into this with less than 40 minutes under his belt since the start of February. With little to no minutes, the young star may need to blow away a few cobwebs, or may be pulled early in the second half.

Peru possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Abram, Zambrano, Araujo, Callens, Pena, Castillo, Sonne, Polo, Guerrero, Flores

Bolivia possible starting lineup:
Viscarra; Fernandez, Suarez, Haquin, Roman, Moreno, Cuellar, Matheus, Miguelito, Vaca, Algaranaz

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