Argentina vs Colombia Match Analysis and Prediction

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Argentina are preparing to play host to Colombia in World Cup 2022 Qualifying in at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes on Wednesday.

With Lionel Messi’s absence and a cluster of COVID-19 cases threatening to derail Argentina’s preparation for their first fixtures of 2022, Lionel Scaloni’s men picked up yet another win in World Cup Qualifying to see off Chile last time out.

Argentina have already secured a place in Qatar with 32 points to their name as they sit second in the table, four points adrift of leaders Brazil.

Scaloni’s side will be depleted by four suspensions in the clash with Colombia, but reports of players recovering from COVID-19 and injury is a welcome boost for Argentina.

The victory over Chile marked their 28th unbeaten game in a row across all competitions since they lost to Brazil in the 2019 Copa America, and four clean sheets from their last four Qualifying matches at home spells trouble for Colombia.

Colombia would have expected to be holding their place in the top four at this point, but in a reversal of fortunes, Reinaldo Rueda’s side’s hopes for Qatar slimmed even further on matchday 15.

While they struggled for attacking inspiration, Peru took advantage with an 85th-minute winner from substitute Edison Flores to boost their top-four bid the expense of Colombia’s, whose World Cup destiny is out of their own hands.

A six-game run without a win in World Cup Qualifying is alarming, but a nation once famed for attacking prowess of Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez have now gone six matches without scoring in the section.

Luis Diaz will certainly be out to prove a point amid his side’s drought, and Colombia did score twice in a 2-2 draw with Argentina earlier in Qualifying, but the Albiceleste prevailed on penalties in the Copa America four weeks later.

Argentina vs Colombia head to head

The two teams have previously met on 21 occasions across all competitions, where Argentina have taken 12 victories while Colombia have won in 3, and they have drawn in 6. Argentina have scored 31 goals and conceded 15. Argentina won in their last encounter through penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Argentina 3-0 Colombia 16/11/16

Colombia 0-0 Argentina 12/09/18

Argentina 0-2 Colombia 16/06/19

Colombia 2-2 Argentina 09/06/21

Argentina (P)1-1 Colombia 07/07/21

Argentina latest home form

Argentina have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have not lost in more than ten matches. They drew their last home game 0-0 with Brazil on November 17 in the World Cup Qualification. In their last five matches, they have won four and drawn in one.

Argentina 1-0 Brazil 11/07/21

Argentina 3-0 Bolivia 10/09/21

Argentina 3-0 Uruguay 11/10/21

Argentina 1-0 Peru 15/10/21

Argentina 0-0 Brazil 17/11/21

Argentina latest away form

Argentina have recently been on a good run of form on the road, as they have not lost in their last five matches. They won their last away game 2-1 over Chile on January 28 in the Wolrd Cup Qualification. They have won four and drawn one of their last five matches.

Bolivia 1-4 Argentina 29/06/21

Venezuela 1-3 Argentina 03/09/21

Paraguay 0-0 Argentina 08/10/21

Uruguay 0-1 Argentina 13/11/21

Chile 1-2 Argentina 28/01/22

Colombia latest home form

Colombia have recently been on a relatively low form at home, having won just one of their last five matches. They lost their last home game 1-0 to Peru on January 29 in the World Cup Qualification. They have won one, drawn three and lost one of their last five matches.

Colombia 0-0 Brazil 11/10/21

Colombia 0-0 Ecuador 15/10/21

Colombia 0-0 Paraguay 17/11/21

Colombia 2-1 Honduras 17/01/22

Colombia 0-1 Peru 29/01/22

Colombia latest away form

Colombia have recently been on a low run of form away from home, having not won in any of their last five matches. They lost their last away match 1-0 to Brazil on November 12 in the World Cup Qualification. They have drawn three and lost two of their last five matches.

Argentina (P)1-1 Colombia 07/07/21

Bolivia 1-1 Colombia 02/09/21

Paraguay 1-1 Colombia 06/09/21

Uruguay 0-0 Colombia 08/10/21

Brazil 1-0 Colombia 12/11/21

Argentina news

Nicolas Tagliafico, Nicolas Otamendi, Rodrigo de Paul and Leandro Parades will all be out of contention for this game following their suspensions.

Meanwhile, it will be good news for Scaloni who will have back Maxi Meza, Guido Rodriguez, Emiliano Buendia and Lucas Ocampos, but Papu Gomez is a doubt due to ankle pain.

Colombia news

Colombia will have suspension concern of their own, with Yerri Mina banned for an accumulation of bookings and heading back to Everton.

William Tesillo will likely deputise for Mina alongside Davinson Sanchez at the back this week,as Falcao desires for another opportunity to earn his 99th cap for the national team.

Prediction and Odds

Colombia will head into this game knowing that an altered Argentina defence presents them with an opportunity to finally find the back of the net.

Rueda’s side have far more on the line than Argentina, and with Scaloni’s side possessing a rich attacking talent, we can back the hosts for a win here.

Odds: 1 2.20 X 2.05 2 2.45