Unlike the so-far predictable UEFA standings, both the CONEMBOL and AFC are seeing hotly contested World Cup qualification campaigns, with a few of the usual suspects running the risk of not making it to Russia.

The South American race unsurprisingly remains the tightest. Though nothing is certain Brazil and Uruguay, at 24 and 23 points respectively, have a decent 5 to 6 point margin of error between them and 3rd place Colombia. From then on, however, things get far trickier. Colombia are on 18 points, trailed by Ecuador and Chile, both on 17, Argentina on 16, Paraguay on 15 and Peru on 14; only Venezuela and Bolivia, on 5 and 4, seem complete write-offs.



The biggest story is Argentina’s current inability to crack the top 5. So far the 2014 runners-up have drawn 3, won 4 and lost 4, most recently suffering a 3-0 defeat at the hands of a Neymar-driven Brazil that continues to leave them on the outside looking in. That could all change, however, since a victory against Colombia would see Argentina leap-frog their opponents points-wise. Given the quality they have at their disposal, chief among them Messi, and the unconvincing form of the Colombians in their past few internationals, Spreadex are offering an Argentina/Colombia Goal Supremacy spread of 1-1.2 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.3-2.5.

Elsewhere the other important game this week sees Chile host Uruguay. A win for the latter will see them keep up the pressure on group leaders Brazil; victory for the former, meanwhile, would potentially take them into the automatic qualification zone. Home advantage should just about give Alexis Sanchez and co. the edge, with our traders offering a Chile/Uruguay Goal Supremacy spread of 2.4-2.6.

Sitting in 4th place Ecuador will be hoping for Colombia to slip up against Argentina, and have a Goal Supremacy spread of 1.45-1.65 against Venezuela. Brazil, meanwhile, should breeze past Peru and sit at a Goal Supremacy spread of 0.75-0.95; Bolivia vs Paraguay is a bit harder to call, however, with our traders offering a choice Goal Supremacy spread of -0.1-0.1.

Over in the AFC the countries are in the third round of qualifying, with the 40 teams from the second round whittled down to 2 groups of 6. This week’s most important game in Group A sees 3rd place South Korea host 2nd place Uzbekistan. The Koreans are likely frustrated they aren’t dominating this group, and will be looking to make up the ground they lost against 1st place Iran; they sit at a South Korea/Uzbekistan Goal Supremacy spread of 0.95-1.15.



Iran, meanwhile, should hold onto the top spot for another week, Spreadex offering an Iran/Syria (h) Goal Supremacy spread of 1.1-1.3. Fighting for the scraps at the bottom of Group A are China and Qatar; the former is expected to triumph over the unlikely 2022 World Cup host, at a China/Qatar Goal Supremacy spread of 0.3-0.5.

In Group B things are just as close at the top. Saudi Arabia are the surprise leaders, on 10 points without yet losing a game; they face 3rd place Japan, who have seemingly recovered from the humiliation of losing to the United Arab Emirates in their first third round fixture. Japan should seal their comeback with a win on Tuesday, with Spreadex offering a Japan/Saudi Arabia Goal Supremacy spread of 1.55-1.75.

A Saudi loss would leave the door open for Australia to take the top spot, assuming they can beat a woeful Thailand. Sitting at the bottom of Group B, Thailand are yet to pick up a single point, scoring just once while conceding 10. The game, then, should be the Aussies’ for the taking, with our traders offering an Australia/Thailand (h) Goal Supremacy spread of 1.8-2 alongside a Total Goals spread of 3-3.2.

Finally, the UAE still have an outside chance of, if not taking one of the automatic qualification spots, then at least advancing to the fourth round. Their shock victory over Japan, coupled with a predictable win against Thailand, leaves them on 6 points. That will likely jump to 9 points following their game against Iraq, whose3 points come from a 4-0 thrashing of, you guessed it, Thailand; Spreadex are offering a UAE/Iraq Goal Supremacy spread of 0.45-0.65.