Conmebol World Cup qualifying predictions: betting preview & free football tips

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Thursday's South American World Cup qualifiers.

Where to watch

Bolivia v Paraguay
Premier Sports 1, 9pm Thursday

Colombia v Ecuador
FreeSports, 10pm Thursday

Best bets

Colombia
2pts 4-6 general

Bolivia
1pt 13-10BoyleSports

Preview

Colombia's World Cup qualification campaign hit a low point when they lost 6-1 away to Ecuador in November 2020 but they can exact revenge by defeating the same opponents in Barranquilla.

Playing home games at high altitude has benefited third-placed Ecuador, who have accumulated 13 of their 16 points in Quito.

However, the Ecuadoreans have lost nine of their last ten away qualifiers and four of their remaining seven games will take place on foreign soil.

Ecuador's heavy dependence on ground advantage has been evident this month with a 3-0 home success over Bolivia preceding a disappointing 2-1 loss away to basement boys Venezuela.

And it is unlikely that they will pick up any points against Colombia, who should be feeling confident after a strong performance in Sunday's 0-0 draw at home to Brazil.

Reinaldo Reina's side carved out the better chances against the Samba Stars and look solid favourites to follow up with a victory which would see them climb back into the automatic qualification slots.

Another team who rely heavily on home results are Bolivia, who should get the better of Paraguay in La Paz.

Bolivia have not appeared at a World Cup finals since USA 1994 but their slim hopes of reaching Qatar 2022 were given a boost by a deserved 1-0 win at home to Peru on Sunday.

The Bolivians won the shot count 21 to 11 against Peru, and had been reduced to ten men by the time midfielder Ramiro Vaca settled the issue with an 83rd-minute goal.

Cesar Farias's side will be without suspended forward Henry Vaca – the recipient of the weekend red card – but they can still find a way past Paraguay, who have taken just two points from their last four road trips.

Paraguay lost 2-0 in Chile at the weekend and will be without suspended defender Omar Alderete.

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