Venezuela vs Argentina Predictions

Venezuela vs Argentina predictions ahead of this World Cup qualifier clash. Venezuela will host Argentina at a sold-out Estadio Monumental in Maturín on Thursday, as part of CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. Read on for our free betting tips and predictions.

World Cup Qualifying – South America | Group Stage | Oct 10, 2024 at 10pm UK at Estadio Monumental de Maturin

Venezuela vs Argentina Predictions

Can Venezuela Hold Their Ground Against a Relentless Argentina?

• Venezuela’s scoring struggles
  • Venezuela have found the net just six times in eight World Cup qualifiers, averaging 0.8 goals per game, with only one goal in their last four outings. Against Argentina’s defence, that’s a worrying sign.
• Argentina’s clean sheet dominance
  • Argentina have kept six clean sheets in their eight qualifiers so far, conceding only 0.5 goals per game. With Venezuela’s offensive woes, this solid backline will be difficult to breach.
• Messi’s record against Venezuela
  • Lionel Messi has contributed to 11 goals in 11 appearances against Venezuela, underlining his penchant for performing against this opponent. Will we see another Messi masterclass in Maturin?

Our Tips

As the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers continue, Venezuela find themselves in a tantalisingly precarious position. Sitting in the final automatic qualification spot, Fernando Batista’s men are preparing to take on Argentina, a team that needs no introduction. The Estadio Monumental in Maturin is set to be a cauldron of noise, but will it be enough to see the hosts defy the odds and derail the World Champions?

Argentina, the reigning Copa America and World Cup champions, are brimming with confidence, perched comfortably at the top of the qualification table. Their place at the 2026 tournament is almost a formality. However, Lionel Scaloni’s side, despite some stumbles in recent matches, are in no mood to offer charity. For Venezuela, though, this match means everything. They must fight tooth and nail to secure any points to hold onto their current qualification spot, but with Argentina having only conceded seven goals in their last 19 qualifiers, the challenge is nothing short of monumental.

But we’ve seen surprises before in football. So, will this be the night Venezuela can pull off a shock, or will Argentina simply be too much to handle?

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Best Bet: Argentina to Win to Nil

Argentina are coming into this match as favourites, and it’s difficult to argue against backing them to keep a clean sheet while securing victory. Venezuela, while showing some resilience in home matches, have struggled in front of goal in recent qualifiers, scoring just once in their last four. This lack of attacking firepower makes it hard to see them troubling Argentina’s well-drilled backline.

Argentina, despite missing a few key players, still boast an array of talent, especially with Lionel Messi returning to the fold. Messi’s ability to dictate play, combined with the form of midfielders like Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández, should give Argentina control over the game. In contrast, Venezuela’s defence, though plucky, will likely struggle to contain the creative flair of Messi and Julián Álvarez. Venezuela’s offensive statistics further highlight their struggle. With just 0.8 goals per game in this qualifying campaign, and failing to score in their last home fixture against Uruguay, it’s hard to see them finding the back of the net against Argentina’s disciplined defence.

Even without Emiliano Martínez between the sticks, Argentina’s defence has been formidable. They’ve kept six clean sheets in their last eight matches in this qualification phase, and given Venezuela’s attacking woes, there’s little reason to believe they’ll break through this resilient unit. Centre-backs Cristian Romero and Nicolás Otamendi have been rock solid, rarely making the kind of mistakes that would open the door for a team as limited in attack as Venezuela.

Venezuela might have their moments of pressure, but Argentina’s defence should remain untroubled. As BettingTips4You.com expert Gerard Gabasa puts it: “Argentina’s defensive record speaks for itself, and against a Venezuela side that has struggled to score, the likelihood of a clean sheet for the visitors is high. Add Messi’s return, and it’s hard to see anything but an Argentina win to nil here.”

The form, statistics, and player quality all point towards Argentina securing a routine victory. Venezuela’s defensive discipline could keep the score respectable, but ultimately, Argentina are likely to prove too strong.

Correct Score Prediction: Venezuela 0-2 Argentina

Given the rationale behind Argentina winning to nil, the most likely scoreline is a 2-0 victory in favour of the visitors. Venezuela have shown defensive resilience at home, but they’ve yet to face a side as potent as Argentina. The Albiceleste’s average of 1.5 goals per game in qualifying suggests they don’t need to go all-out to secure the win.

The return of Messi, as well as the creativity of players like Álvarez and De Paul, should be enough to break down Venezuela’s defence twice. However, Argentina’s own methodical style under Scaloni, combined with Venezuela’s grit, makes a high-scoring rout unlikely. Argentina’s 12 goals in eight games show they are effective, but not prolific scorers, especially away from home.

Venezuela’s attack, spearheaded by the likes of Salomón Rondón, has been toothless in recent matches. Their 11 shots per game haven’t translated into goals, with an uninspiring 3.4 shots on target per match average. While they’ll undoubtedly try to capitalise on set pieces or counters, Argentina’s ability to control possession and recover balls quickly will stifle any real threat from Venezuela.

Thus, a controlled 2-0 win for Argentina seems the most plausible outcome. Venezuela might huff and puff, but ultimately, it’s hard to see them piercing Argentina’s defensive wall.

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