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November 19 2024, 10:31 · Trystan Pugh
Updated: November 19 2024, 15:59

Chile vs Venezuela Preview: Team News & Prediction

Chile vs Venezuela Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Draw specialists Venezuela travel to bottom-of-the-table Chile to take on RIcardo Gareca's strugglers in Santiago.

Kick-off date/time: Wednesday 20th November, 2024: UK – 12:00am / US ET – 7:00pm (Tuesday) / US PT – 4:00pm (Tuesday)

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – Fanatiz

Chile Preview: Rock-bottom

It's a testament to just how poor Chile have been in CONMEBOL qualifying that their goalless draw at Peru last time out was an improvement on recent results, as it did at least bring to an end their five-game losing run in the section.

Ricardo Gareca remains a man under immense pressure with his side currently bottom of the table, and it wouldn't be a huge surprise if he was to be relived of his duties after this match, regardless of the result.

Venezuela Preview: In the mix but seven games without a win

Venezuela, meanwhile, competed well with Brazil last time out and earned a point for their efforts, and they occupy the inter-confederation play-off spot heading into the final round of November fixtures.

However, Fernando Batitsta's side have failed to win any of their last seven World Cup qualifiers, with the last time they tasted victory in the CONMEBOL campaign having been the reverse fixture against Chile in October last year.

Chile Team News: Likely unchanged

Despite their struggles in front of goal, compelling attacking options are thin on the ground for Gareca, while he is likely to keep faith with the same defence that shut Peru out in Lima.

Having made only two substitutions - both in injury time - last time out, Gareca clearly has a lack of faith in his squad and their ability to change a game, so the starting XI could well be unchanged here. 

PREDICTED XI (4-3-1-2): Cortes; Loyola, Maripan, Diaz, Suazo; Vidal, Echeverria, Pizarro; Valdes; Aravena, Vargas

UNAVAILABLE:

QUESTIONABLE:

Venezuela Team News: Herrera & Gonzalez out

There will be at least one enforced change with Yangel Herrera set to miss out with the injury he sustained early on against Brazil. His replacement in that match, Cristian Casseres, is poised to deputise in the middle of the park.

Utility man Alexander Gonzalez misses out through suspension after receiving a straight red card against the Selecao just minutes after entering the pitch in the second half.

PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Romo; Aramburu, Ramirez, Angel, Navarro; Casseres, Martinez; Bello, Savarino, Murillo; Rondon

UNAVAILABLE: Herrera (Injured), Gonzalez (Suspended)

QUESTIONABLE:

Key Stats

  • Chile have lost only one of their previous seven World Cup qualifying matches at home against Venezuela (W5 D1).
  • Chile have won their last three World Cup qualifying matches at home against Venezuela (3-0, 3-1, 3-0).
  • Chile have won only one of their last 13 World Cup qualifying matches (D3 L9).
  • Chile are without a win in their last eight World Cup qualifying matches.
  • Chile have failed to score in six of their last eight World Cup qualifying matches.
  • Venezuela are without a win in their last seven World Cup qualifying matches (D5 L2) – since a 3-0 home victory vs Chile in October 2023. However, they have still only lost two of their last ten matches in the qualifiers (W2 D6).
  • Venezuela are without a win in their last 14 World Cup qualifying matches away from home (D2 L12). Last win was in October 2017 vs Paraguay (W 1-0).

Chile vs Venezuela Prediction

Although Chile managed to halt their losing run last week, their general performance did little to inspire confidence that they can turn things around and still claim one of the qualifying spots. If they are to do that, then they really need to be winning this contest against one of their direct rivals for the inter-confederation play-off spot.

That's easier said than done against a Venezuela team that have proven difficult to beat though. The visitors have drawn over half of their games in the current qualification cycle, and they would likely settle for a point here, too.

Chile vs Venezuela Tip: Draw