Chile v Australia: Vargas set to fire against the Socceroos
Published:Chile and Australia have met four times since 1974 with La Roja coming out on top in the last three meetings between the two sides.
Despite their only ever encounter in a World Cup ending in a 0-0 draw, this time around Chile are expected to come out on top and are 4/9 with Ladbrokes for victory, while Australia are 15/2 for a shock three points at the Arena Pantanal.
The draw is available at odds of 10/3 but Oliver Yew has come up with three alternative bets for the clash in Cuiaba. Read on to find out more!
Australia are expected to be the Group B whipping boys and this opening clash represents a vital opportunity for Chile to make some early headway in Group B. The Aussies have conceded six goals against both Brazil and France in recent times and have also shipped four against Japan and Ecuador. In contrast, La Roja have lost just twice, to both Brazil and Germany, in their last 15 matches and with the Socceroos without a win in three, expect a Jorge Sampaoli side featuring the free-scoring Eduardo Vargas and Alexis Sanchez to win comfortably!
The 24-year-old has been in excellent goal scoring form for Chile recently having bagged four goals in his last five international matches. The Napoli star, who was on loan at Valencia last season, has hit 14 goals in 30 games for Chile and was the first name on the scoresheet against Northern Ireland last time out. With Australia’s defence suspect expect the former Universidad de Chile man to take advantage in the Arena Pantanal.
It promises to a tough day at the office for the former Everton man as he faces the unenviable task of fighting for possession with the likes of Sanchez and, if fit, Arturo Vidal. There is likely to be no shortage of crunching tackles as the 34-year-old, who was sent off for a bizarre knee-slide tackle against Germany at the last World Cup, tries to stamp his authority on proceedings and all it will take is one mistimed challenge from the New York Red Bulls star for us to reap the profits!
Watch Tim Cahill’s strange knee-slide challenge which earned him a red card against Germany four years ago in South Africa:
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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