Colombia will welcome Bolivia to Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez this Friday in a must-win 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers game.
Venue: Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez (Barranquilla)
Key Statistics
Colombia are winless in their last seven WCQ games (D4, L3).
But they have gone seven straight WCQ games without scoring a goal, a new unwanted national record during one cycle.
They have kept four clean sheets from their last seven games.
Bolivia have lost three of their last four WCQ games.
They have the worst defence in their group having conceded 35 goals.
Head to head
Bolivia are without a win against Colombia since 2003.
Overall, this will be the 33rd meeting between the two sides across all competitions. The hosts lead 15-7 in wins while 10 games have ended in draws.
Latest performances in all competitions
Colombia: L-L-W-D-L
Bolivia: L-L-W-W-L
Colombia
Colombia will look to keep their faint chances of playing in the Qatar World Cup alive when they welcome Bolivia to Barranquilla on Friday.
With just two games remaining in CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying (WCQ), the hosts must realistically win both of their matches while relying on results elsewhere if they are to qualify for a third straight World Cup finals.
They come into this tie on the back of two disappointing 1-0 losses to Peru and Argentina, leaving them sitting in seventh place, four points behind Peru who are occupying the playoff spot on the table.
The main reason for their lowly position is their flattering attack, which has failed to score in seven straight WCQ games.
However, to their credit, although faltering in attack, Los Cafeteros have at least been robust in defence. Since their last win (3-1 vs Chile), Reinaldo Rueda’s men have played out three goalless draws across their last four home WCQ matches (L1).
There’s no better time for them to get a win given that they are facing a leaky Bolivia side that has conceded seven times across their last two matches.
Possible Colombia starting line-up
David Ospina (GK); Juan Cuadrado, William Tesillo, Davidson Sanchez, Johan Mojica; James Rodriguez, Wilmar Barrios, Mateus Uribe, Luis Diaz; Miguel Borja, Alfredo Morelos.
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Bolivia
Bolivia’s chances of playing in the November World Cup ended last time out as they were beaten 3-2 at home by Chile.
The result followed a 4-1 away loss to Venezuela in the previous game, meaning that the visitors come into this game sitting in eighth place in the CONMEBOL table, six points behind Peru in the playoff spot.
They will now come into this game looking to be party spoilers. However, for a team without an away win in this WCQ campaign (D2, L6), they do not look like they can get a positive result from this game.
The visitors have the group’s worst defensive record (35 goals conceded) and have won just 13% of their total tally away from home.
As such, this game looks like a certain loss for ‘La Verde’ unless they can buck the trend of losing all five WCQ away head-to-heads they have played in this century.
Possible Bolivia starting line-up
Ruben Cordano (GK); José María Carrasco, Sebastián Álvarez, José Sagredo; Marc Enoumba, Roberto Fernández, Moises Villaroel, Richard Spenhay; Henry Vaca, César Menacho; Bruno Miranda.
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Prediction
Colombia 2-0 Bolivia