Looking to extend their unbeaten run on home soil to 30 matches, Argentina will welcome Venezuela at La Bombonera for their World Cup 2022 CONMEBOL qualifier on Friday, with kickoff at 2:30 am.
Argentina’s qualification campaign has been a comfortable one, with Lionel Scaloni’s men winning 10 of their 15 games and drawing five. They became the second South American nation to qualify for this year’s tournament after rivals Brazil in November.
Currently sitting behind Brazil in the standings, Argentina can still finish no lower than their current position, but they still have an outside chance of beating the Seleção to the top spot.
Argentina’s next qualifier is against Venezuela, which has already been eliminated. Suppose La Albiceleste can avoid defeat to Edinson Cavani and company in Buenos Aires on Friday. In that case, they will extend their unbeaten run in internationals to 30 games—currently seven short of Italy’s world-record run.
After defeating Bolivia 4-1 on January 28, Venezuela was beaten 4-1 by Uruguay four days later, dashing their hopes of reaching the 2022 World Cup.
Striker Josef Martinez scored his first international goal in three years in the 65th minute. Still, earlier strikes from Rodrigo Bentancur, Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Edinson Cavani, and Luis Suarez sealed the win for Uruguay.
Argentina vs. Venezuela Head to Head
Both sides have 14 games against each other, with hosts taking ten wins while opponents with two wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Argentina 1-0 Colombia
- Chile 1-2 Argentina
- Argentina 0-0 Brazil
- Uruguay 0-1 Argentina
- Argentina 3-0 Uruguay
Away
- Uruguay 4-1 Venezuela
- Venezuela 4-1 Bolivia
- Venezuela 1-2 Peru
- Ecuador 1-0 Venezuela
- Chile 3-0 Venezuela
Argentina Team News
This month, the hosts will be without nine players, including Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, Emiliano Buendia, and Giovani Lo Celso. The Argentine players were suspended for two games in a friendly against Brazil last year because they breached COUID-19 protocols.
Venezuela Team News
Visitors will be looking to Cristian Casseres to return from suspension and partner 115-cap Tomas Rincon in central midfield. Veteran defender Roberto Rosales will hope to replace Ronald Hernandez at right-back, joining Jhon Chancellor, Nahuel Ferraresi, and Oscar Gonzalez in the back four.
Prediction and Odds
Argentina faces Venezuela on Friday to keep their slim hopes of finishing above table-toppers Brazil alive.
- Argentina Win
- Correct Score: 2-0
- Goals Under 3.5
