Preview: Bolivia vs Venezuela
Soccer News 2024/09/04 08:40
Bolivia are set to resume their quest for World Cup qualification after a disappointing campaign at the Copa America 2024 in the USA.
La Verde suffered three successive defeats to USA, Uruguay and Panama, condemning them to a fourth successive Copa America group stage exit.
Their poor showing at the Copa America ultimately led to the sacking of coach Antonio Carlos Zago and the appointment of Oscar Villegas.
The 54-year-old has been tasked with leading his country to their third World Cup and first finals appearance since USA 1994.
Qualifying will be easier said than done, however, as Bolivia have made an underwhelming start to their campaign, with one win over Peru and five defeats against Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay in their six qualifiers.
Unlike their opponents, Venezuela reached the knockout stages of the Copa America after winning all three of their group matches against Ecuador, Mexico and Jamaica.
Unfortunately for Venezuela, their Copa America journey ended with a penalty shootout defeat to Canada in the quarter-finals.
Having put that disappointment behind them, La Vinotinto are now looking to make history by qualifying for their first-ever World Cup finals.
Fernando Batista will be encouraged by his side's start to the qualifying campaign, having seen them bounce back from defeat against Colombia to take points from their next five qualifiers.
Home wins over Paraguay and Chile followed an away draw with Brazil, before drawing their last two qualifiers against Ecuador and Peru in November 2023.
For all their promise, Venezuela are still waiting to end a 12-match winless run away from home in World Cup qualifying.
Bolivia possible starting lineup:
Viscarra; Cuellar, Haquin, Sagredo; Rocha, Cespedes, Villamil, Fernandez; Miguelito, Vaca; Algaranaz
Venezuela possible starting lineup:
Romo; Aramburu, Ferraresi, Osorio, Navarro; Rincon, Martinez; Bello, Segovia, Machis; Rondon
Prediction:Bolivia 1-2 Venezuela
Bolivia VS Venezuela stream and TV listing
International:Holasports
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FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)
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Venezuela
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Bolivia
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