Preview
Bolivia and Venezuela will go head to head at the Estadio Hernando Siles on Thursday as they aim to their respective dreams of securing a spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup on track. Both sides have not had the best of starts and as a result, will aim at getting a swift turnaround.
On paper, hosts Bolivia are arguably the weakest side in South America at the moment, having been on the fringes for a very long time. Since October 2017, La Verde has featured in 27 matches across all competitions and have managed just two wins. They have lost 17 times and have drawn the remaining eight games. Five of their last six outings has resulted in losses with the remaining one being a draw they managed against Paraguay in their World Cup qualification campaign.
With their lows weighing them down, Bolivia's main strength of their home advantage at high altitude in La Paz could eventually serve their needs this time around. Although it hasn't been enough to prevent them from picking up three losses and one draw in their opening four CONMEBOL qualifying matches, the prospect of a turnaround cannot be entirely overruled. But they may have to close shop at the back as they have conceded an average of three goals per game since the commencement of the qualification round.
Coming up against a Venezuela side that has an improved generation of talents such as Sergio Cordova, Jefferson Savarino, Yangel Herrera, and Darwin Machis with veterans Tomas Rincon and Salomon Rondon also in the mix, the task remains a tough one. Although the odds are stacked against the visitors because of Bolivia's home advantage, the fact that Jose Peseiro's men are not far away from the business end of the table should serve as a motivation going into the game.
In the four games they have played in the qualification campaign, they have recorded one win and three defeats but are just three points behind a qualification play-off place. Having beaten Bolivia in a friendly back in 2019, La Vinotinto should fancy their chances of running away with another win this time around.
Team news
Bolivia will have a fully fit squad at their disposal to take on Venezuela on Thursday. On the contrary, the visitors have a number of notable absentees going into the game. Salomon Rondon is unavailable for the clash whereas Granada's Yangel Herrera and Toronto FC starlet Yeferson Soteldo are also amiss.
Predicted starting XI
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Bolivia possible starting lineup: Lampe; Bejarano, Haquin, Flores, Sagredo; Sanchez, Vaca, Wayar, Villarroel; Moreno, Arce
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Venezuela possible starting lineup: Farinez; Rosales, Chancellor, Hernandez, Mago; Machis, Rincon, Savarino; Martinez, Murillo, Cordova.
Broadcast information
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
