Colombia vs Uruguay prediction: SOUTH AMERICA: World Championship – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-10-11 20:30.
Colombia have been somewhat of a sleeping giant in South American football this century, but dreams of reaching just their third FIFA World Cup since 1998 are very much alive after a strong start to their World Cup qualifying (WCQ) campaign. They have picked up four points from their opening two matches, adding another two clean sheets to a sensational recent defensive record which has seen them accumulate nine shutouts across their last 13 internationals.
The arrival of head coach NĂ©stor Lorenzo has been key to the revival in Colombiaâs fortunes. Appointed in July 2022, the former Argentina international – who played in the Italia â90 World Cup – is undefeated so far in the job (W7, D3). That run includes impressive friendly victories over Germany (2-0) and Mexico (3-2), before a 1-0 defeat of Venezuela and 0-0 draw with Chile got their WCQ campaign underway.
Whether they can keep that run going against a strong Uruguay side, who have won eight of the last 14 H2Hs (D3, L3), is another matter. The Sky Blues will start as the underdogs owing to a pretty poor recent record in away WCQs, managing just four wins in 18 attempts over an eight year period (D5, L9).
One of those losses was a 2-1 result against Ecuador in their most recent match that ended Marcelo Bielsaâs 100% record as manager after the former Leeds boss picked up victories in his opening three internationals. He will be hoping for more in the final third from Uruguay, having criticised his playersâ attacking invention after they mustered just five shots in the entire match.
Key battle: Colombia defender Daniel Muñoz has lost only one of his previous nine WCQs (W5, D3), helping his side keep six clean sheets in those games. Hoping to ensure there wonât be another shutout may be forward Darwin NĂșñez, whose three goals for Uruguay have all been the last of the game (W2, D1), including in a 3-0 win over his upcoming opponents in 2020.
Hot streak: Colombia have not conceded a second half goal in any of their last nine internationals.