Round 12 of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers promises high-stakes action as South America’s finest battle for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With just two rounds remaining after these pivotal fixtures, the pressure is quickly mounting as sides battle it out for an automatic qualification or a playoff spot.
We take a closer look at a selection of these matches and pick out our top tips and best booking code (odds at time of writing):
Chile vs Venezuela
These two sides have struggled in the CONMEBOL qualifiers, especially in recent outings, with Chile sitting bottom of the table with just six points from their 11 games, while Venezuela are seventh with 12 points.
Chile are in desperate need of victories if they are to have any chance of reaching the qualifying places, trailing by six points with just three games left to play, but come into this game having won one of the 11 so far, including failing to win any of their last eight across all competitions.
Venezuela have similarly struggled in recent times, failing to win any of their last six across all competitions, but they have recorded positive draws with Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil, results that will certainly boost them coming into this one. With this, we believe the visitors will win here.
Venezuela to win, 4.35
Argentina vs Peru
Lionel Messi has once again been Argentina’s star man in the CONMEBOL qualifiers, leading their scoring charts with six goals in eight games, alongside a further two assists.
With Argentina undoubtedly the favourites in this match, sitting top of the table while Peru are ninth, Messi will have plenty of the ball and opportunity to attack the Peru defence. With the visitors conceding 14 times thus far, and Argentina scoring 20, we believe there will be plenty of goals in this one, and we expect Messi to get involved in the scoring.
Lionel Messi to score anytime, 1.85
Brazil vs Uruguay
Brazil may come into this match sitting just fourth in the table, with 17 points from five wins, two draws and four defeats, but they have been much improved in their most recent outings. They have now lost just two of their last 13 matches across all competitions, though one of those was on penalties to Uruguay in the Copa America.
Uruguay, on the other hand, come into this game sitting second in the table having collected 19 points from 11 outings, with five wins, four draws and two defeats. However, they have faltered in recent weeks, managing just one win in their last six fixtures, though that did come last time out against Colombia, courtesy of a 101st-minute winner from Manuel Ugarte.
While we do expect this to be a tight encounter between two of the top teams in the table, with Brazil’s improved form in recent outings, they should get the three points tonight.
Brazil to win, 1.67
Best Booking Code @13.44 – 88PDPV
