Venezuela will look to re-establish itself among the top four in the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers when it takes on Bolivia Friday.
The Venezuelans currently sit in fifth place with 15 points in 11 matches. The top four sides earn automatic berths to the World Cup in Brazil next summer. However, the fifth place squad must take on the fifth place side from the AFC. Venezuela is currently in a precarious situation. The 15 points have placed them in a tie with Chile for fourth place. However, Uruguay is behind them with 13 points and Peru has 11 points in the qualifiers; The Peruvians have only played 10 matches while Uruguay and Venezuela have already contested 11 games.
Venezuela has been unable to build any consistency over its last five matches. The team lost to Peru last September but managed to win against Paraguay a few days later. In October the Venezuelans earned a 1-1 draw with Ecuador but fell against Argentina 3-0 in their first match of the March qualifiers. However, the team pulled off a huge 1-0 win over Colombia in their latest game. Salomon Rondon leads the Venezuelans with four goals in the tournament.
Meanwhile Bolivia will look to salvage its tournament hopes. La Verde has nine points in 11 games and must essentially win the rest of its game if it has any hopes of clinching a World Cup berth. The team has a record of two wins, three draws, and six losses; however the team has achieved a record of two wins, two draws, and two losses at home. Marcelo Moreno Martins and Carlos Saucedo lead the team with three goals in the qualifiers.
Prediction: The altitude of La Paz stifles Venezuela. Look for these sides to battle to a 1-1 draw.
Start Time: 4 PM EST
TV: beinSport 1
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
