Chile vs Argentina prediction: SOUTH AMERICA: World Championship – Qualification betting tips on match 2025-06-05 01:00.
[p]Time is running out for Chile if they are to reach their first World Cup finals since 2014, as they start this round of fixtures bottom of the CONMEBOL standings. That’s down to a poor World Cup qualifying (WCQ) campaign so far that has yielded just two wins from 14 matches (D4, L8), albeit just one of their last four games in this cycle ended in defeat (W1, D2).[/p]
[p]A lack of goals has been their most obvious issue, as they are one of just two sides coming into the round yet to reach double figures for this WCQ cycle (G9). Â Four of those did come last time out in their most recent WCQ victory against Venezuela in November (4-2), but a pair of goalless outings since (D1, L1) and a miserable return of four goals scored across their last eight H2Hs against Argentina (D3, L5) is likely to dampen any confidence.[/p]
[p]Argentina’s position is far more secure than their hosts, as the reigning World champions have already secured their place in the 2026 finals. A dominant WCQ campaign (W10, D1, L3) has shown no signs of slowing down with three successive wins, two of which came against fellow top-four sides, including a 4-1 thrashing of Brazil.[/p]
[p]With qualification confirmed, manager Lionel Scaloni therefore has scope to make changes and look at some fresh faces if he sees fit, with his squad including a first call-up for highly-rated teenage midfielder Franco Mastantuono. Fans will no doubt still be desperate to see icon Lionel Messi back in Argentine colours, after he missed March’s internationals through injury. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Marcelino Núñez, who set up Chile’s most recent goal against Argentina back in January 2022, should head into this clash with confidence after scoring twice and assisting another in his final club game of the season. Enzo Fernández is another coming into these internationals in a positive place after a goal and assist in Chelsea’s UEFA Conference League final win over Real Betis – he was also on target before half-time in Argentina’s most recent win over Brazil.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Argentina have conceded 2+ goals in just two of their previous 19 matches. [/p]
[p][i]Written by David HÂ [/i][/p]