The Matchday 15 clash in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers between Chile and Argentina will take place on June 6 at the Julio Martinez Pradanos Stadium in Santiago. Chile vs. Argentina: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Chile
Ricardo Gareca's side is struggling in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The team is at the bottom of the standings but still has a chance to reach the seventh spot, which would allow them to enter the playoffs, trailing the top seven by five points. In March, the team played two matches but failed to score any goals: first, a 0-1 away defeat to Paraguay, followed by a 0-0 home draw with Ecuador. Notably, Chile has scored only nine goals, with only Peru scoring fewer (six goals) in the South American qualifiers.
- The team has not won in 10 of their last 11 World Cup qualifier matches (3 draws, 7 losses).
- At least one team failed to score in 10 of Chile's last 13 matches in this qualification.
- Chile has not scored in the second half in 8 of their last 10 home qualifier matches.
Predicted lineup for Chile (4-3-3)
Bryan Cortes – Felipe Loyola, Gabriel Suazo, Guillermo Maripan, Paulo Diaz – Rodrigo Echeverria, Vicente Pizarro, Arturo Vidal – Dario Osorio, Diego Alfonso Valdes, Eduardo Vargas.
Defender Mauricio Isla, midfielders Marcelo Diaz, Erick Pulgar, and Diego Valdes, as well as forwards Ben Brereton and Eduardo Vargas, will not play in the upcoming match for various reasons.
Argentina
The team enters the June matches on a three-game winning streak in the World Cup qualifiers. In these matches, Argentina defeated Uruguay 1-0 away and overcame Peru 1-0 and Brazil 4-1 at home. Lionel Scaloni's side leads the group confidently, with an eight-point gap over their nearest rival. Notably, Argentina has already secured their place in the upcoming World Cup.
- At least two goals have been scored in 6 of Argentina's last 8 World Cup qualifier matches.
- The team has not lost in 32 of their last 35 World Cup qualifier matches (22 wins, 10 draws).
- Argentina has not trailed at halftime in their last six matches in this tournament (3 wins, 3 draws).
Predicted lineup for Argentina (4-1-4-1)
Emiliano Martinez – Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Tagliafico – Leandro Paredes – Rodrigo De Paul, Thiago Almada, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister – Julian Alvarez.
Defenders German Pezzella, Lisandro Martinez, and Gonzalo Montiel, midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Guido Rodriguez, as well as forward Paulo Dybala, are not included in the squad for various reasons. Due to suspensions, forward Nicolas Gonzalez, defender Nicolas Otamendi, and midfielders Leandro Paredes and Enzo Fernandez are unavailable.
Referee
Jesus Valenzuela (Venezuela)
Matches – 18 (International matches, 2024–2025);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 98;
Average yellow cards per match – 5.4;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 28;
Penalties – 17%.
Chile vs. Argentina: Match Prediction
In the upcoming game, I give a slight edge to the hosts, who still have tournament motivation. Chile is at the bottom but can still reach the seventh spot, though they need to win the remaining matches. The team has struggled away but is much more dangerous at home, having lost only twice in seven qualifier matches.
Notably, in the current World Cup qualifiers, Chile has not lost at home by a margin of two or more goals. Argentina, on the other hand, will be more relaxed, having already achieved their main goal. Additionally, Lionel Scaloni's side plays more cautiously on the road, with only two wins in their last five qualifiers, both by a narrow margin. Furthermore, in the last seven official head-to-head meetings in Chile, Argentina has never defeated their opponent by a margin of two or more goals.
Considering all these factors, my prediction is "Chile with a handicap (+1)"
* The starting lineup for each team reflects their most recent match in this tournament.
Brayan Cortés
Rodrigo Eduardo Echeverría Sáez
Gabriel Suazo
Guillermo Maripán
Felipe Ignacio Loyola Olea
Francisco Andrés Sierralta Carvallo
Darío Esteban Osorio Osorio
Alexis Sánchez
Gabriel Jesús Castellón Velazquez
Lawrence Ian Vigouroux
Benjamín Kuscevic
Igor Lichnovsky Osorio
Marcelino Ignacio Núñez Espinoza
Alexander Ernesto Aravena Guzmán
Emiliano Martínez
Cristian Gabriel Romero
Nahuel Molina Lucero
Nicolás Tagliafico
Leonardo Balerdi
Exequiel Palacios
Nicolás Paz Martínez
Walter Daniel Benítez
Facundo Axel Medina
Juan Foyth
Valentín Barco
Enzo Alan Tomás Barrenechea
Franco Martín Mastantuono
Lautaro Martínez
Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini
