In a must-win game in their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, Colombia go head-to-head with Bolivia on Thursday, at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez.
Bolivia have 15 points and are in eighth place in the standings. They can't qualify directly for the Finals and can only hope to make it to Qatar via inter-conference play-offs. To do that, they need to secure a win here and also against Brazil next Tuesday, which might be a difficult task to accomplish.
Colombia are still in contention for a fourth-place finish but, apart from winning the remaining two games of the campaign, they'll also hope that Chile, Uruguay, and Peru also drop points.
Colombia vs Bolivia Head-to-Head
This will be the 33rd meeting between the two sides across all competitions. Colombia lead 15-7 in wins while 10 games have ended in draws. The visitors are without a win against Los Cafeteros since 2003.
The reverse fixture in the qualifying campaign at Estadio Hernando Siles in September ended in a 1-1 draw.
Colombia form guide (all competitions): L-L-W-D-L
Bolivia form guide (all competitions): L-L-W-W-L
Colombia vs Bolivia Team News
Colombia
Luis Suárez will serve a one-game suspension here while there are no reported injury concerns for the home side.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Luis Suárez
Bolivia
Veterans Marcelo Martins and Carlos Lampe were left out of the squad for the final two qualifying fixtures. The 33-man squad announced by manager César Farías has an average age of 23 years, so it seems the coach has picked youth over experience for the final two games of the campaign.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Colombia vs Bolivia Predicted XI
Colombia Predicted XI (4-4-2): David Ospina (GK); Juan Cuadrado, William Tesillo, Davidson Sanchez, Johan Mojica; James Rodriguez, Wilmar Barrios, Mateus Uribe, Luis Diaz; Miguel Borja, Alfredo Morelos
Bolivia Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Ruben Cordano (GK); José María Carrasco, Sebastián Álvarez, José Sagredo; Marc Enoumba, Roberto Fernández, Moises Villaroel, Richard Spenhay; Henry Vaca, César Menacho; Bruno Miranda
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Colombia vs Bolivia Prediction
Bolivia are without a win in their trips to Colombia since 1994 and have the worst defensive record in the qualification campaign. The hosts have the fourth-best defensive record but have been let down by their wastefulness in front of the goal. Only Venezuela and Paraguay have scored fewer goals than them.
Nonetheless, they are the favorites against Bolivia and are expected to come out on top.
Prediction: Colombia 2-0 Bolivia.