1. Argentina 2. Colombia 3. Ecuador 4. Uruguay 5. Chile I'm also predicting that we end up on 23 points, with wins coming at home against Bolivia, Venezuela and Ecuador, plus a couple of points picked up away. Some could say that 23 points is a considerably low amount, but it's not so unrealistic if we remember that no Brazil means two less rounds. I consider Peru to be the biggest threat for that fifth spot.
I don´t see Chile losing to Peru and Paraguay as visitors, those 6 points are in the bag according to my calculations. On the other hand, the matches against Venezuela and Ecuador here in Chile will be difficult as usual but Chile will emerge as winner. Vamos !
Imo, we should move a lot of these last few posts to the "Selección de Chile" thread which is more general, specially considering the Colombia game-specific discussion is almost closed. Has, what do you think?
******** yeah! This man irradiates optimism, he's good to have around to counter my natural cynicism.
Uruguayans have 3 home games against Paraguay, Colombia and Argentina. IMHO this is the worst calendar and No 1 candidate to lose the spot. I see Venezuela with (5 local games), Ecuador (5), Colombia (5), with high possibilities according with the points they have as of today. I don't see Venezuela and Peru out at all. If Chile and Uruguay do not make points in game number 8 against Ecuador and Argentina (which is very likely as things look right now), they will find themselves with 12 point against Venezuela 11 points, 8 games to be played and 4 and 3 games to be played at home versus 5 home games TBP by Venezuela. Also in the case of Peru if they get 3 point in Bolivia, they will be right there with 4 home games TBP. So the next game will be very interesting and I think it will show the way for these WCQ. It will be really hard for Chile and Uruguay to emerge from this situation against Argentina and Bolivia.
I think its important to look in the long term. Chile is 12-13 points away from the WC, with the following schedule: home: argentina, uruguay, bolivia, venezuela, ecuador away: ecuador, peru, paraguay, colombia i'd figure that the two most difficult games remaining are likely the be the following two, Ecuador in Quito, Argentina in Santiago. looking beyond those, you'd think the remaining 4 home games are more than winnable, and none of the away games are impossible either. the thing is, though, that with a bad showing in the next two the ridiculous amounts of pressure already on the team and the dt might take its toll
The pressure is to be expected, this is the NT after all. I hope he stays even if he gets 0 pts. Because as you well said, we can easily get more than enough points from the remaining matches. I'll be dissapointed with Borghi if he jumps ship.
I think pressure is fine, fatalism isn't. much of the pressure is beyond rational considering the non-soccer related problems the team has faced, the fact that that prior to Colombia we had won 3 games straight without conceding, and the fact they're 2pts from the leader. luckily we have this: http://www.prensafutbol.cl/seleccio...de-chile-tiene-la-mesura-que-el-pais-noq.html