Bolivia - Uruguay
Date: 14-10-08
City: La Paz
Bolivia come into their clash with Uruguay after an emphatic 3-0 victory over Peru on Saturday. Erwin Sanchez's side have improved enormously in recent months, and will do their utmost to beat the Uruguayans on home soil. The high altitude in La Paz (3,600 metres) has always been a major factor, and Bolivia will surely try to make the most of it.
They face a Uruguay side who will be without Diego Godin, Diego Perez, Sebastian Eguren and Luis Suarez (all suspended) as well as the injured Javier Ernesto Chevanton. These absences are likely to affect the Uruguayans, who will surely be fatigued after a hard fought 2-1 defeat to Argentina, and a long flight to Bolivia. Still, Uruguay have a good record in Bolivia, and have a great chance of picking up a favourable result.
Goal.com Prediction: Bolivia 0-1 Uruguay
Paraguay - Peru
Date: 15-10-08
City: Asuncion
Paraguay lead the qualifying group in stunning fashion, with 20 points, four more than second placed Brazil, with 16 points. Gerardo Martino's side picked up another road victory in Bogota, Colombia, on Saturday, and further consolidated their position at the top.
They come into their clash with Peru as the overwhelming favourites, not only because of their superb form, but because the Peruvians have been struggling a great deal of late. The current situation in the Peruvian camp is very complicated, and unless they pick up a positive result in Asuncion, they will practically be out of contention for a World Cup berth. Despite this, they will do their utmost to pick up a positive result against the in-form Paraguayans.
Goal.com Prediction: Paraguay 3-1 Peru
Chile - Argentina
Date: 15-10-08
City: Santiago
Argentina put an end to a five-match winless streak, dating back to last year, with a hard-worked 2-1 victory over Uruguay in the River Plate derby on Saturday. Alfio Basile's side may not have played a great game, but they picked up three valuable points, that takes a great deal of pressure off Basile, and the entire squad for that matter. Argentina will be unable to count with the services of Carlos Tevez and Juan Roman Riquelme, who are both suspended, while Sergio Aguero's participation is in doubt, because of injury.
Chile come into the match in a must-win situation, after a frustrating 1-0 loss to Ecuador on Sunday. Chile defended well, but their attack left a lot to be desired, as they could barely get a shot on goal. In order to overcome Argentina they will have to be in top form, and Marcelo Bielsa will be eager to inflict defeat on his former team, and country of his birth. A hostile 70,000 crowd should motivate the Chileans in what will be, without doubt, the most exciting match of the round.
Goal.com Prediction: Chile 1-2 Argentina
Venezuela - Ecuador
Date: 15-10-08
City: Puerto La Cruz
After a series of poor results, Venezuela come into their match-up with Ecuador with their morale to the ground. They have struggled in the World Cup qualifiers, and don't seem to be the same team who emerged as one of South America's most exciting teams in recent years. During the clash with Brazil, on Sunday, Cesar Farias, the coach of Venezuela, was constantly jeered at by the home crowd who asked for his resignation.
If Venezuela lose to Ecuador, Farias will have no choice other than to step down from his charge. This could be the case, as they face an extremely confident Ecuador side, who claimed a valuable 1-0 victory over Chile on Sunday. Ecuador haven't lost a match in their last six encounters, and are looking stronger than ever. Not only are they very solid in defense, but they are also very efficient when moving forward.
Goal.com Prediction: Venezuela 3-2 Ecuador
Brazil - Colombia
Date: 15-10-08
City: Rio de Janeiro
Have Brazil finally returned to their top form after several months of uncertainty? The Brazilians completely brushed aside Venezuela on Sunday, with a brilliant overall performance. They should continue their good form against Colombia, who at this current moment are, along with Venezuela, the most unorganized team on the continent. Brazil have demonstrated that with Kaka on the team they are much more effective than otherwise. The likes of Robinho and Adriano, who both scored against Venezuela, have shown that they are more than capable of finding the back of the net, and this boosts Brazil's chances of claiming a comfortable victory at the legendary Maracana stadium.
Colombia, on the other hand, haven't managed a single goal in their last four matches, and although they showed a slight improvement against Paraguay, they lacked sufficient quality to at least grab a point.
Goal.com Prediction: Brazil 2-0 Colombia
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