Early Bird Tips for South America World Cup Qualifiers: Two giants to dominate on home soil

South American expert Nathan Joyes presents his early bird tips for the upcoming South American World Cup qualifiers.

The World Cup holders host a Paraguayan side with a new manager, while Ecuador head to Bolivia, who have a manager on the brink. Elsewhere, Brazil vs Venezuela in Rio may be 90 minutes where the hosts flex their muscles.

• Early Bird Tips for Argentina vs Paraguay: Argentina Win to Nil
• Early Bird Tips for Bolivia vs Ecuador: Ecuador Ecuador to Win
• Early Bird Tips for Brazil vs Venezuela: Brazil Win to Nil and -1 Handicap

Acca odds: 6.50

Odds via Ladbrokes as at 10:00, 9th October 2023. Odds may now differ.

Argentina vs Paraguay: Hosts to maintain 100% winning streak

Argentina, World Cup qualifiers, Friday 13th October, 00:00 (UK)

It’s been the perfect start for the World Cup holders. Two wins from two, including a tricky trip to La Paz last time out, has put Lionel Scaloni’s team in pole position. There’s plenty of work to do in order to maintain that spot, but a powerless Paraguayan side is unlikely to shock the hosts in Buenos Aires.

Daniel Garnero has been appointed head coach after their difficult start to the campaign. A 0-0 draw at home to Chile before losing 1-0 to Venezuela – the only South American side never to qualify for a World Cup – was far from ideal.

Even with the likes of Miguel Almiron, Gabriel Avalos and Matias Rojas, they haven’t found any rhythm yet. With Garnero having little to no time with his new squad, it’s going to be difficult to motivate his team ahead of arguably their most challenging fixture of the tournament.

With Argentina having world-class options across the park, we’ve seen how defensively sound they are, too. This perfect balance will make life extremely difficult for Paraguay, who look set to go three matches without finding the back of the net.

• Selection: Argentina Win to Nil
• Best Odds: 1.80
• Bookmaker: bet365

Bolivia vs Ecuador: Limited altitude advantage key for visitors

Bolivia, World Cup Qualifiers, Friday 13th October, 00:00 (UK)

All eyes were on Bolivia when Argentina came to town, with plenty of punters hoping the extreme altitude would spring an upset. However, Bolivia were poor from start to finish, as well as ill-disciplined, which saw Roberto Fernandez sent off in the first half.

Gustavo Costa has been in charge since 2022, yet he’s only secured one win (a 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia in a friendly). His robust, old-school style of play is wearing thin, and it may not be long before he receives his own dismissal.

Ecuador heads to the highest city in South America. Although La Paz is 13,000ft above sea level, they are used to the conditions playing in Quito for their home matches. Quito is almost 10,000ft above sea level and will be able to cope better than most with the demands of La Paz.

So far, a narrow defeat in Argentina and a 2-1 comeback against Uruguay were impressive results. Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo and future Chelsea player Kendry Paez stood out massively against Uruguay and will both be looking to take control of the game on Friday.

Being comfortable in similar conditions, as well as Bolivia’s poor style of play, Ecuador have an opportunity to make it two wins from the bounce and climb up the table.

• Selection: Ecuador to Win
• Best Odds: 1.85
• Bookmaker: bet365

Brazil vs Venezuela: Diniz ball to steal the show

Brazil, South America , Friday 13th October, 01:30 (UK)

Venezuela recorded an important 1-0 victory against Paraguay last time out, where Salomon Rondon scored from 12 yards. However, that has been their only goal in 180 minutes, and a trip to Rio de Janeiro will be their most difficult to date by far.

Brazil hammered Bolivia 5-1 in Diniz’s first game in charge before a last-gasp 1-0 win over Peru kept their winning streak intact. Peru never threatened Brazil’s defence, while a rare breakaway goal caught Diniz’s defence out – and he’ll be quick to rectify that against Venezuela.

In their last three head-to-heads in Brazil, Venezuela have lost all three matches to nil. In fact, they’ve only scored against Brazil once in their previous five meetings – which came on home soil.

In the last World Cup qualifiers, Brazil only conceded one goal in eight matches in front of their own supporters. Diniz will have made his opinion very clear: he won’t accept anything less than a dominant performance, not only in front of goal, but defensively, too.

Rondon has, however, scored four in his last five matches for club and country. Yet centre-back pairing Gabriel and Marquinhos should have more than enough to keep him quiet.

The Arsenal defender won 100% of his duels and didn’t commit a foul or get dribbled past once against Manchester City at the weekend – which bodes well coming into this fixture.

• Selection: Brazil Win to Nil and -1 Handicap
• Best Odds: 1.85
• Bookmaker: Ladbrokes

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