World champions and back-to-back Copa America winners Argentina head into the October international window knowing that two wins this week will all but seal their place at the 2026 finals.

Lionel Scaloni's side sit top of the section after eight games, with 18 points to their name, and a mid-20s finish will almost certainly see them through, based on what has been required in previous qualifying rounds.

Nothing is certain at this early stage of the campaign, but at the halfway point, Argentina look like a shoo-in for the next World Cup.

That is despite the Albiceleste's recent defeat to Colombia, which was their second loss in four qualifiers, and Uruguay's victory over Scaloni's side last November.

However, as the strongest team in South America and nine points clear of the automatic qualifying places, no one will be betting against the holders going through, especially considering they have conceded just seven goals in their last 19 qualifiers.

With Venezuela and Bolivia next up, they would normally be considered the two weakest nations in CONMEBOL, but not this time, as both have made promising starts and are definitely in contention.

However, Argentina are often dominant against Venezuela and are unbeaten in their last seven competitive meetings, losing only twice in 28 head-to-head encounters.

There are few tougher games on the international stage for the hosts, but if they can pull off a miracle and get something out of it, it will only boost their chances of reaching their first World Cup.

After eight games, Fernando Batista's side are level on 10 points with Brazil, who currently occupy the final automatic qualifying spot.

However, the Argentine coach knows that his side will need at least a point against his homeland to stay in that position, with Paraguay and Bolivia breathing down their necks.

It was a mixed bag of results in September, with Venezuela suffering a humiliating 4-0 defeat away to Bolivia at high altitude, before holding an impressive Uruguay to a 0-0 draw a few days later.

However, improving their attacking threat will be crucial if they are to maintain their challenge, with La Vinotinto having scored just once in their last four qualifiers.

The big news for Argentina is the return of Lionel Messi, who is set to feature for the first time since the Copa America final.

Despite the positive news, Scaloni will be without goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for both matches this month after he was handed a two-match ban for his antics following last month's loss to Colombia.

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios is back in the squad after recovering from injury, but Serie A duo Paulo Dybala and Nicolas Gonzalez and Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho were all late withdrawals after picking up knocks at the weekend.

Venezuela have a number of notable injury concerns, including Sparta Rotterdam defender Teo Quintero, who missed out on his international debut this month.

Fellow defender Jhon Chancellor remains sidelined with an injury, so the back four that held off Uruguay last time out could be the same.

The resurgence of Salomon Rondon after a troubled spell at Everton has been key to their success in this section so far, with the veteran striker scoring two of their six goals in qualifying and 20 in 33 appearances for club side Pachuca since arriving at the start of the year.

Venezuela possible starting lineup:

Romo; Aramburu, Osorio, Ferraresi, Navarro; Bello, Casseres, J Martinez, Segovia, Soteldo; Rondon

Argentina possible starting lineup:

Rulli; Molina, Otamendi, Romero, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Alvarez; La Martinez, Messi

Prediction:Venezuela 0-2 Argentina

Venezuela VS Argentina stream and TV listing

Google search：Holasports