Defending champions Argentina will resume their CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying campaign with an away fixture against Venezuela.
Venezuela will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup winners Argentina at Estadio Monumental in Maturin on Thursday in search of their third win of the CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign.
The home team are sixth on the points table with two wins, two losses, and four draws in their eight outings. They have not won any of their last four outings and will be eager to return to winning ways.
But, they have a massive challenge at their hands as they will go up against world champions Argentina. Having restricted Uruguay to a draw in their last outing, they will hope to get something out of this fixture as well.
The visitors have arguably been the best team on planet Earth for the last four to five years. They have won back-to-back Copa America titles and lifted the World Cup in 2022. They sit at the top of the table in the qualifying campaign with six wins and two losses in their eight outings.
Having suffered a defeat at the hands of Colombia last time out, the Lionel Messi-led team will be eager to return to winning ways. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Venezuela
The home team will be without the services of Teo Quintero and Jhon Chancellor for this round of fixtures. Venezuela will most likely line up in a 4-5-1 formation, where Rafael Romo will be in goal.
The back four will be made up of Jon Aramburu, Nahuel Ferraresi, Yordan Osorio, and Miguel Navarro. Aramburu and Navarro will be on the flanks, while Ferraresi and Osorio will feature in the heart of the defence.
Eduard Bello and Yeferson Soteldo should start outwide. The duo will look to help out the full-backs and also provide width to their attacks. Meanwhile, Cristian Casseres Jr., Jose Martinez, and Telasco Segovia will take charge in the centre of the park. Salomon Rondon, who has been in sensational form of late, should lead the line for Venezuela against Argentina.
Probable Lineup (4-5-1): Romo; Aramburu, Osorio, Ferraresi, Navarro; Bello, Casseres, J Martinez, Segovia, Soteldo; Rondon
Argentina
The big news for Argentina is that Lionel Messi is back for the first time after their Copa America success, and he should start here. Lionel Scaloni will be without the services of their number one Emiliano Martinez, who has been suspended for two fixtures following his antics after the defeat against Colombia.
Paulo Dybala, Nicolas Gonzalez, and Alejandro Garnacho have all withdrawn from the squad because of fitness issues. The world champions will go ahead with the 4-4-2 formation, where Geronimo Rulli will be in goal.
Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Tagliafico should be the full-backs, with Nicolas Otamendi and Cristian Romero taking charge in the heart of the defence. Rodrigo De Paul and Julian Alvarez will feature out wide in the centre of the park, while Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister will start in a more central role. In attack, Lautaro Martinez will partner skipper Messi.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Rulli; Molina, Otamendi, Romero, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Alvarez; La Martinez, Messi
Key Stats
- La Vinotinto have only scored once in their last four qualifying fixtures.
- Argentina have been unbeaten in their last seven competitive meetings against Venezuela.
- The home team have only managed two wins in their last 28 matches against the World champions.
- Argentina have only conceded seven goals in their last 19 qualifying fixtures.
- Lionel Scaloni’s can book their place at the next World Cup with two wins in this round of fixtures.
Player to Watch
Lionel Messi
Messi is all set to make a return to the international stage for the first time since guiding Argentina to yet another Copa America title. The Argentine superstar is causing havoc in MLS with 17 goals and 10 assists in his 18 outings, and he will be looking to add to his tally of 109 international goals.
Prediction
Venezuela 0-2 Argentina
While Venezuela have been doing a great job in this qualifying campaign, they are all set for their toughest challenge. The home side did manage to get a point against Uruguay, but that does not seem likely against Argentina with Messi back in the mix. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for Lionel Scaloni’s team.