South American qualifying gets underway this afternoon with four games. Brazil has already qualified for the World Cup as hosts and do not participate in qualifying. The remaining nine teams in the confederation will play each other home and away with the top four qualifying directly to the World Cup and the fifth place team entering the playoff with the Asian Confederation. As always, home team listed first.
Uruguay v Bolivia
The 2011 Copa America winners and 2010 World Cup semifinalists are one of the favorites to top the South American table. A powerful strike force which includes Luis Suarez, Edison Cavani and Diego Forlan should score plenty of goals. Uruguay is still riding high from its summer success and should open qualifying with a bang.
Bolivia is a longshot to qualify, but does have the huge benefit of playing its home games in the high altitude of La Paz. Unfortunately they open on the road against one of the elite teams. Bolivia has also been in terrible form as of late with no wins in the last six months.
Prediction: Uruguay 3 Bolivia 0
Ecuador v Venezuela
Ecuador has had a disappointing 2011 so far, finishing bottom of its group in the Copa America. The side missed out on the playoff spot last cycle by only one point and realizes the need to start out on the right foot.
Venezuela has rapidly improved in the last few years and believes this could be the cycle when they finally qualify for a World Cup. The side made the semifinals of the Copa America and will be going all out for the three points, since they face Argentina in the next match.
Prediction: Ecuador 1 Venezuela 2
Argentina v Chile
The match of the day sees Argentina host Chile. The home side is looking to put the Copa America behind them where they went out in the quarterfinals. There is so much talent in this side, but they often fall below expectations as a team. However, they still are one of the most dangerous sides in the world.
Chile was the surprise of last cycle in South America, qualifying comfortably and making the second round of the World Cup. A side filled with young talent, they have the potential to grab a point or all three in this match. Both these sides expect to be comfortably near the top throughout qualifying.
Prediction: Argentina 2 Chile 1
Peru v Paraguay
Peru hopes to ride its momentum of a third place finish in the Copa America to a place in the World Cup. However, they are not expected to contend for one of the advancing spots and do suffer from a lack in quality.
2010 World Cup quarterfinalist Paraguay finished runners up at the Copa America and desires three points in Peru for the opening match. Paraguay rides a disciplined defense, but has had problems scoring goals in the past.
Prediction: Peru 0 Paraguay 0
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