Argentinavs.Bolivia

The current world champions moved clear at the top despite failing to win last week, while Bolivia were the big winners of matchday nine, strengthening their chances of a first World Cup in three decades.

Match preview

A draw in Venezuela on Thursday night was not the result Argentina desired, but it was still enough to move them a point further ahead of both Colombia and Uruguay, as their two nearest rivals both suffered shock defeats on matchday nine.

Lionel Scaloni's side have done much of the heavy lifting already, with 19 points on the board at the halfway stage, but they were well below par in Maturin against a tricky Venezuela side.

Argentina led through Nicolas Otamendi in the first half, but Venezuela had most of the better opportunities, outshot the Albiceleste 18 to six, and eventually found an equaliser thanks to Salomon Rondon.

Coming away with a 1-1 draw on the road in South American qualifying is rarely a bad thing though, and Argentina are now three points ahead of Colombia at the top despite losing to Los Cafeteros last month.

Scaloni has seen his team concede just eight goals in their last 20 qualifiers, but they have not been putting that defensive solidity to good use recently, winning just two of their last five.

They will be heavily fancied to improve on that record though when they face a Bolivia side who do not travel well at all.

Like many, Argentina have had their troubles away to Bolivia, such as the 6-1 defeat in 2009, but in 11 home meetings in qualifying, the hosts have won 10 and drawn only once.

However, after winning their first away qualifier in 31 years last month, Bolivia will feel they are capable of anything, especially after the upturn in results and performances they have enjoyed under Oscar Villegas.

La Verde's shock win away to Chile last month has been accompanied by home wins over Venezuela and Colombia either side at home.

The 4-0 thrashing over Venezuela was impressive, but the win over Colombia was astonishing, considering they played 70 minutes with 10 men, and were facing the side currently second in qualifying.

Switching home venues from La Paz to El Alto, over 500 feet higher in the extreme altitude of Bolivia, is clearly having a huge effect, as Colombia could not get to grips with the game despite their man advantage, before Miguelito scored the only goal of the game.

It means Villegas has led Bolivia to three wins from three in his tenure in qualifying, a sharp upturn after taking only three points from their opening six games, and La Verde now sit in one of the automatic qualifying positions.

Argentina World Cup Qualifying - South America form:

W

L

W

W

L

D

Argentina form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

L

D

Bolivia World Cup Qualifying - South America form:

L

W

L

W

W

W

Bolivia form (all competitions):

L

L

L

W

W

W

Team News

After making his first appearance for Argentina since the Copa America final, Lionel Messi failed to have much of an impact as they struggled away to Venezuela last week.

Having proven his fitness at Inter Miami though, Messi is set to start again, and could be joined once more by Thiago Almada, who was rewarded for his good form with Botafogo with a start, but there is plenty of competition in offensive areas, with Lautaro Martinez waiting in reserve.

Emiliano Martinez will serve the second of his two-game ban here, but Cristian Romero will return after sitting out the draw in Venezuela due to a suspension from an accumulation of yellow cards.

Miguelito was the Bolivia hero on Thursday, scoring in a third straight game for his country, even though he is hardly getting a kick at club level, having played only three minutes in second-tier Brazilian side Santos' last 12 matches.

Hector Cuellar will be suspended after his red card against Colombia, while both Ervin Vaca and Yomar Rocha have pulled out of the squad with injury.

First-choice keeper Carlos Lampe is also currently absent, as the 37-year-old was forced off in the win away to Chile last month and has not featured since.

Argentina possible starting lineup:

Rulli; Molina, Otamendi, Romero, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, Lo Celso; La Martinez, Alvarez, Messi

Bolivia possible starting lineup:

Viscarra; Medina, Haquin, Suarez, Sagredo; Robson Matheus, Villamil, R Vaca; Miguelito, Algaranaz, Chura

We say: Argentina 2-0 Bolivia

Bolivia were the only nation to get six points in September's window in CONMEBOL, but it is very unlikely they will do the same here, considering they have only ever taken one point in 11 previous trips to Argentina.

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