Predictions World Cup Qualifying South America- Argentina vs Chile | September 6, 2024

World Cup Qualifying South America - Argentina vs Chile
Match Time: 06-09-2024 07:00 Friday (GMT+7)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Argentina will take to the pitch in front of their own fans for the first time since retaining their Copa America title in July, beating Colombia 1-0 after extra time to win South America's most prestigious prize for an unprecedented 16th time.

Lionel Scaloni, who boasts a 71.4% win rate in charge of La Albiceleste, has now successfully steered his country to glory at three successive major tournaments and they are on course to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after making a strong start in CONMEBOL qualifying.

Indeed, Argentina sit top of the South American standings and two points clear of second-placed Uruguay after winning five of their opening six qualifiers, securing maximum points against Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru and most recently Brazil, beating the latter 1-0 away from home in November last year.

Argentina suffered their only defeat in qualifying just five days earlier when they were beaten 2-0 by Uruguay - one of only two defeats in 62 matches across all competitions since July 2019.

Ranked first in the world by FIFA, Argentina can strengthen their grip on top spot with a victory over Thursday's opponents Chile, whom they most recently beat by a 1-0 scoreline in the Copa America group stage this summer.

Chile are bidding to qualify for their first World Cup since 2014, but they have not made an ideal start to CONMEBOL qualifying, losing three, drawing two and winning just one of their opening six matches.

La Roja's solitary win was a 2-0 success over Peru on matchday three and they have since picked up just one point from their last three qualifiers, most recently losing 1-0 away against Ecuador in November last year.

Eduardo Berizzo resigned shortly after that defeat and has since been replaced by Argentinian Ricardo Gareca, who has won two, drawn two and lost two of his opening six games in charge.

Chile, who were once ranked as high as third in the world by FIFA in 2016, but have since slipped to 43rd in the current standings, crashed out in the Copa America group stage for the first time in two decades after they could only collect one point from three matches over the summer.

Gareca and co are determined to put things right and turn their fortunes around, although success on Thursday could prove challenging as they have failed to win any of their previous 13 meetings with Argentina in all competitions since a narrow 1-0 victory in World Cup qualifying in October 2008.

Prediction: Argentina 2-0 Chile