Colombia versus Chile

In the first of five World Cup qualifying games on Tuesday evening in South America, third-placed Colombia hosts bottom-placed Chile. The early kick-off should give the hosts crucial points after they had absolutely nothing to gain from Bolivia's height in the last game.

Although Chile have performed atrociously in their first nine games this season, they still have a fight to qualify for. At the halfway point of the season they are just 6 points away from a play-off place, but perhaps their comeback to qualifying is unlikely to begin this week in Barranquilla. Instead, they need an epic international break in November when they play fellow strugglers Peru and then host Venezuela.

Paraguay versus Venezuela

If it had been about qualifying for the last World Cup, just four automatic qualification places would have meant Paraguay and Venezuela were unlikely to make it to the finals.

However, they are currently in eighth and seventh place respectively, with sixth place automatically qualifying for the 2026 tournament and a play-off spot still being awarded to seventh place. Both have a huge chance, despite having only won two of nine games each, and the outcome of this match will be absolutely crucial.

Uruguay vs Ecuador

Since their ugly exit from the Copa America, Uruguay have been stuck in a stalemate and have now not won in three qualifying games. Even more worrying for the Sky Blues is that they have also failed to score in these three games and risk a dramatic drop in the table.

Ecuador can join Uruguay on 15 points if they win this game, making the remaining games very uncertain for Bielsa's men. Not least when you consider that we face Colombia and Brazil in the next international break. There is a lot of pressure on the home team to get points against a very dangerous opponent.

Argentina versus Bolivia

Despite a draw in Venezuela in their last game, Lionel Messi and Argentina expect three points when they return to the Estadio Monumental this Tuesday. In the last game they changed players and played on a terribly wet surface. They will have no such problems on River Plate's home ground.

Bolivia comes into this game on a magical streak of three straight wins, but the streak ends here. You are already in dreamland and collecting points early. Even when they play away, they are not the same team as they are at home at altitude. This should be a comfortable win for league leaders Argentina.

Brazil versus Peru

Brazil won their last game 2-1 thanks to some incredible Botafogo attackers, now they return to Brasilia to face a Peruvian side who have just claimed their first qualifying win.

Brazil won the second leg on matchday two with a last-minute winner and another result here will be enough to stabilize their position and cement their place in the top four. Despite Peru's recent win, they don't have enough to go to Brazil and bring home points.