Verdict: Colombia win
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Desperately seeking a much-welcomed World Cup qualifying boost on Friday night, Colombia will welcome Peru to Barranquilla.
Colombia
Starting with the hosts, while Colombia might have come flying out of the traps when opening their World Cup qualifying adventure back in September 2023, La Tricolor have come crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion. Last seen g off March’s international break with a collapse on home soil as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate against Paraguay, Nestor Lorenzo’s men have recorded just a single point from their previous four qualifying appearances and have come under a fair amount of scrutiny on either side of opening 2025. With their extended struggles underlined by a shock 1-0 loss against Ecuador, Colombia are desperately seeking an essential boost this weekend. While Friday’s hosts might still be sitting pretty in the top-six, they can’t afford any more public slip-ups. Smelling a real opportunity here, it should be noted that La Tricolor have suffered just a sole defeat in front of their own ers since way back in January 2022.
Colombia Team News
Suffering a reported abdominal injury while representing Brazilian giants Internacional last weekend, Rafael Santos Borre has been forced to withdraw from Colombia’s squad. However, crowned a Premier League champion with Liverpool this season, Luis Diaz has been included and will earn a 64th international cap.
Likewise, completing a free switch to Mexican outfit Leon this year, ex-Real Madrid superstar James Rodriguez has been included in Lorenzo’s squad. The Crystal Palace duo of Daniel Munoz and Jefferson Lerma should also feature on Friday night.
Peru
As for the visitors, while Peru might have got 2025 underway with a 3-1 victory at home against Bolivia, it appears that was just a minor boost for Oscar Ibanez’s downbeat squad. Making an immediate return to losing ways last time out as they slumped to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Venezuela, La Bicolor find just their goal difference keeping them off the foot of the table. In fact, Friday’s guests have ed just 10 points from their 14 qualifying appearances and they have continued to show some extended issues in the final third. g off 2024 with a 1-0 defeat against reigning world champions Argentina, Peru have drawn a blank in four of their last five outings. Likewise, Ibanez will have a major headache over his side’s glaring struggles on foreign soil. Along with losing their previous five consecutive matchups outside of Lima by an aggregate score of 9-0, they have also lost seven of their last eight away fixtures across all competitions.
Peru Team News
While Burnley defender Oliver Sonne might not have made a single appearance since returning from March’s international break, the 24-year-old has been included in Peru’s squad. Enjoying what was a hugely successful loan spell with Copenhagen, Feyenoord defender Marcos Lopez will start at left-back.
Although veteran strike Paolo Guerrero might have turned 41 earlier in the year, the former Flamengo striker could keep his spot leading the line. Entering his seventh campaign with MLS outfit Orlando City, Pedro Gallese will start between the sticks here.
Colombia vs Peru Key Factors to Consider
- Despite their recent struggles, Colombia have suffered just a single defeat on home soil across any competition since way back in January 2022.
- Peru have lost all of their last five consecutive matchups on foreign soil by an aggregate score of 9-0.
- Likewise, La Bicolor have remarkably ed just a single strike in any of their last nine straight away fixtures.
- Five of Colombia’s last six World Cup qualifying showdowns in Barranquilla have finished with both teams finding the net.
- Along with notching back-to-back strikes, Liverpool ace Luis Diaz has found the net in three of his last five qualifying appearances.
Conclusion
While Colombia might be seeking a much-welcomed boost this weekend, Friday’s hosts should be smelling a real opportunity here. Simply looking to widen their buffer in the top-six chase, La Tricolor will be excited by their extended dominance on home soil. Suffering just a single defeat in front of their own ers since way back in January 2022, Lorenzo’s camp will meet a Peru squad who have found themselves at the heart of a public qualifying nightmare.
Verdict: Colombia win
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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