Football 
Tennis 
Horse Racing 
Boxing Acca Tips: South America World Cup Qualifiers - Brazil to boil over in Barranquilla
South American expert Nathan Joyes provides his three best acca tips for the South America World Cup qualifiers. He believes the market is wrong in Venezuela, Argentina can make it five from five against Uruguay, while Brazil struggles in the Colombian heat.
- Venezuela vs Ecuador: BTTS – Yes
- Argentina vs Uruguay: Argentina Win and Under 4.5 Goals
- Colombia vs Brazil: Colombia +0.25 Asian Handicap
Acca Tips odds: 7.70
Acca Tips Odds via bet365 as at 09:00, 14th November 2023. Odds may now differ.
Venezuela vs Ecuador: Odds-against pick to kickstart the acca
Venezuela, World Cup Qualifiers, Thursday 16th November, 22:00 (UK)
Venezuela are the only nation from South America to have never made it to a World Cup. With seven potential places up for grabs, this is their best opportunity in decades.
And it’s one they have taken so far. Seven points from four matches, having only conceded two goals, has been better than expected. A crucial 1-0 victory over Paraguay, a nation likely to be battling for seventh spot with Venezuela, was a key result in the opening rounds.
However, a 1-1 draw with Brazil in Cuiaba, thanks to a stunning strike from Eduard Bello, certainly wasn’t in anyone’s script. A commanding 3-0 victory over Chile on home soil backed up their performance in Brazil, putting them in a strong position at this stage.
Another tough test awaits as Ecuador head to Maturin. Since their 1-0 loss in Buenos Aires, back-to-back 2-1 victories over Uruguay and Bolivia (in La Paz) has put them firmly back on track to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Although Venezuela have relished their intimidating home environment, with the likes of Yeferson Soltedo and Salomon Rondon leading the charge, Ecuador will be no easy game.
Kendry Paez scored his first, arguably of many, goals against Bolivia, and his partnership with Moises Caicedo in the middle has certainly been eye-catching. Royale Union’s Kevin Rodriguez was the man of the hour with his last minute winner against Bolivia, and comes into this fixture after a brace against Kortrijk in his domestic action.
The bookmakers are siding towards a cagey match, but with Venezuela looking to take advantage of their home surroundings, and with Ecuador arguably on par with Uruguay’s performances in second, both are capable of finding the back of the net.
Argentina vs Uruguay: Hosts to edge tight affair
Argentina, World Cup Qualifiers, Friday 17th November, 00:00 (UK)
Argentina have done everything right so far, securing 12 points from 12 and are yet to concede a single goal across their four matches.
Impressive away victories against Bolivia and Peru showed their dominance away from their home environment, but they’ve struggled to punish those they’ve faced in Buenos Aires.
Two narrow 1-0 victories over Paraguay and Ecuador will concern Lionel Scaloni, relying on two set pieces to secure the points. Argentina haven’t been a side to blow anyone away in recent years, as I’ve mentioned in this column a few times.
The only matches they’ve won by four or more have come against Curacao, UAE and Estonia over the last 18 months.
Uruguay will also be their trickiest match to date. Off the back of their impressive 2-0 defeat over Brazil, Marcelo Bielsa has got a tune out of his new-look squad – although due to Luis Suarez’s impressive domestic form with Gremio, is back in the mix.
However, in true Bielsa fashion, conceding goals has been an issue due to their attacking nature. Conceding five goals in four matches will be a concern and something which will catch them out in these difficult qualifiers – and if that is to be anywhere, it’s likely to be at El Monumental.
This will certainly be a match worth staying up for, but it may be a bridge too far for Bielsa at this stage in his Uruguayan career.
It’s also worth pointing out these sides’ last three head to head meetings all finished with Argentina winning to nil.
Colombia vs Brazil: Caribbean heat to catch Diniz out
Colombia, World Cup Qualifiers, Friday 17th November, 00:00 (UK)
Brazil have been a shambles. As mentioned above, Diniz’s side were held at home to Venezuela before losing to Uruguay 2- 0 in Montevideo. The most concerning stat was the fact Brazil didn’t have a single shot on target.
Since Opta started recording data, that has never happened before. Highly concerning.
Who’s to blame? Well Fernando Diniz was appointed as interim coach but has had next to no time to put his ideology across to his European players. Diniz has had great success with Fluminense, who won the Libertadores, but his unique style takes time to work – something he doesn’t have with Brazil.
To make matters worse, Diniz will be without Neymar due to his horrific injury he picked up against Uruguay, although Palmeiras teenage sensation, Endrick, who has been prolific in Serie A may get his opportunity to shine.
However, Colombia will be no easy match. Based in Barranquilla, bordering the Caribbean sea, it is hot. Sweltering hot, if I’m still going to undersell it.
Diniz ball, which requires a lot of movement, may well be restricted in the conditions. The hosts are also unbeaten after four matches, including two in front of their supporters – and are proving to be a hard nut to crack.
Brazil haven’t won in their last three trips to Colombia, and there’s no evidence to suggest Diniz can turn it around, simply due to his lack of time with the squad.
NOVEMBER 13-19 IS SAFER GAMBLING WEEK 2023
November 13-19 marks an important date in the calendar. Safer Gambling Week is a significant industry-wide event that aims to shed more light on responsible betting. For more information and advice, head to the bettingexpert Safer Gambling hub or our brief explainer below.
