Venezuela vs Argentina: Match Preview and Prediction

Venezuela vs Argentina
South America – 2018 World Cup Qualifier
Date: Wednesday; 7 September 2016
Kick-off: 00:00 UK
Venue: Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano de Merida.

A narrow 1-0 win against Uruguay put Argentina top of table in the South American World Qualifiers. Lionel Messi scored the only goal of the game as he went through the entire 90 minutes carrying a hamstring injury. Now it is confirmed that he will sit for this away fixture against Venezuela.

Edgardo Bauza would be delighted to begin his tenure as head coach of Albiceleste with a win. But he will be without an experienced striker as Paulo Dybala received a red card against Uruguay, while Sergio Aguero is injured and Gonzalo Higuain is not called up due to fitness issues.

While Venezuela are rock bottom of the qualification table after the 2-0 defeat at Colombia on Thursday. They haven’t won a single game and suffered 6 losses so far. With 1 point from 7 games, the chances to make it inside the top five are almost over.

Venezuela vs Argentina: Head-to-Head

Argentina met Venezuela on March 2016 during the quarter finals of the Copa America Centenario and won by a massive 4-1 margin.

Venezuela earned a narrow 1-0 victory in their home leg when the two teams met for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers on September 2011. While Argentina have won the three previous qualifying matches away at Venezuela without a conceding a goal.

There are no draws in the last 11 meetings between these two sides and Argentina had won in 10 of them, with their lone defeat coming at Venezuela on 2011.

Venezuela vs Argentina: Prediction

Venezuela are struggling on all fronts and hardly seem to put up a fight in their previous fixture against Colombia. While Argentina will be without Lionel Messi, but they are expected to win this game without any trouble. I will also leave with my correct score prediction of a 2-0 win in favour of the visitors.