Venezuela vs Argentina Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (CONMEBOL) | Group Stage
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World champions Argentina could essentially wrap up qualification for the 2026 World Cup in October, starting with this trip to Venezuela.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Thursday 10th October, 2024: UK – 10:00pm / US ET – 5:00pm / US PT – 2:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – Not televised
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Player / US – Fanatiz
VENEZUELA PREVIEW: IN THE MIX FOR QUALIFYING
Heading into this round of CONMEBOL fixtures, Venezuela – who are have accumulated the same number of points as Brazil at this stage – are currently occupying the final qualifying spot for the World Cup.
Last month, Fernando Batista’s side impressively held Uruguay to a goalless draw, but they were comfortably beaten by Bolivia 4-0 in the previous fixture.
ARGENTINA PREVIEW: CLOSE TO SECURING PASSAGE
In terms of reaching the World Cup, most of the hard work is already done for the reigning champions, who sit top of the South American section prior to these fixtures.
However, the Albiceleste did suffer defeat last month at the hands of the impressive Colombia, who have designs on top spot themselves. Argentina have lost two of their last four qualifiers, but with Venezuela and Bolivia their next two opponents, it would be a surprise to see them slip up again in this particular international window.
VENEZUELA TEAM NEWS: RONDON THE KEY THREAT
Fernando Batista is unlikely to change things around much here. He will set his team up to keep things tight and hope cause some problems to the Argentina defence on the counter.
Salomon Rondon will be their key danger man up front. The 25-year-old has netted twice in qualifying and has been scoring goals fairly regularly for Liga MX side Pachuca over the last few months.
PREDICTED XI (4-5-1): Romo; Aramburu, Osorio, Ferraresi, Navarro; Bello, Casseres, J Martinez, Segovia, Soteldo; Rondon
UNAVAILABLE: Quintero (Injured), Chancellor (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Angel (Injured)
ARGENTINA TEAM NEWS: MESSI BACK, EMI MARTINEZ SUSPENDED
Lionel Messi will don the Argentina jersey for the first time since the Copa America final after the Inter Miami forward was injured for the September double-header.
Emilaino Martinez misseS out after being handed a suspension for his behaviour against Colombia, while Nicolas Gonzalez, Alejandro Garnacho and Paulo Dybala were all late withdrawals from the squad.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Rulli; Acuna, Otamendi, Romero, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Alvarez; Lautaro Martinez, Messi
UNAVAILABLE: Martinez (Suspended), Dybala (Injured), Garnacho (Injured), Gonzalez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
VENEZUELA VS ARGENTINA PREDICTION
Venezuela are undoubtedly a stronger outfit than they have been in previous qualifying campaigns, and there is a genuine chance that they can make it to the 2026 World Cup, but there still remains a gulf in class between these two nations and one which is likely to be evident in this fixture.
Eager to put last month’s defeat to Colombia behind them, Argentina should come out with purpose here, and having conceded just four goals in their eight qualifiers, backing a win to nil looks like a sensible play.
VENEZUELA VS ARGENTINA TIP: ARGENTINA TO WIN TO NIL
