Interesting scenario for Chile in this one as they face the toughest group game possible to finish off their qualification campaign with. They are sat in the third pace in the CONMEBOL Zone, with the top four automatically qualifying for Russia 2018. However, with four other teams competing for the remaining two open automatic spots along with Chile, anything less than a win could see them eliminated. They need a special night in Sao Paulo but they haven’t been a good away side in the campaign. Brazil automatically qualified a long time ago and go into the final qualification match ten points clear at the top of the group ahead of Uruguay. Brazil are 8/11 at William Hill to collect the maximum points with Chile 18/5 long shots.
Brazil Form
Brazil have posted a W11 D5 L1 record for the qualification campaign and have netted 38 goals in the process. Their results have gone off the boil lately, with back to back draws in qualification against Colombia and Bolivia, but that’s understandable as they aren’t really playing for anything having won the group already. Neymar is their top scorer in qualification with a six-goal haul. At home, they have cruised to a W7 D1 record so far in their campaign, with a clean sheet in five of those games.
Chile Form
Chile are up there with a W8 D2 L7. They produced a narrow win over Ecuador last week, but because other results really went their way, like Argentina v Peru ending in a draw and Colombia surprisingly losing at home against Paraguay, they shot up from outside of the qualification places into third. They had to win that ahead of this tough game to give themselves a chance. Only a win guarantees that they stay in the top four though and anything less and they could end up realistically in sixth and out of the World Cup in the worst case scenario. It’s all up in the air. Away from home, they have only gone W2 D1 L4 in a pretty poor record. Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez is top scorer in qualification for them with seven goals.
Head to Head News
Chile did take a 2-0 win earlier in the group at home against the Selecao, but that is their only win in their last fifteen games against Brazil (D3 L11). So the head to head is fully with the Selecao and that spells bad news for Chile.
Top Betting Tips
Chile have lost at the likes of Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay in the group and it’s hard to see them taking down Brazil. Brazil have taken their foot off the gas unquestionably lately, but they should celebrate a win at home to sign off qualification with. Will Chile make it through with a defeat?