Uruguay vs Venezuela - Preview, Live streaming, lineups & Prediction

SCHEDULE	TIME
GAME	Uruguay vs Venezuela
DATE	01.02.2022
TIME	18:00 PM (UTC)
VENUE	Estadio Centenario (Montevideo)
LEAGUE	World Cup - Qualification

Match Preview

SOUTH AMERICA : World Cup - Qualification

◉ A Luis Suárez inspired 1-0 win over Paraguay last time out helped Uruguay snap their previous four-match losing streak in CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying (WCQ) and moved ‘La Celeste’ into the all-important inter-confederation playoffs spot. With tough matches coming up against Peru and Chile during the next international break, Uruguay will know only a win will do in this clash against bottom-side Venezuela, a nation they’ve lost to just once across 11 previous competitive internationals (W3, D7).

◉ However the last two meetings between these nations both ended 0-0, and given Uruguay’s poor scoring record during this WCQ cycle - they’ve registered the third-lowest goal tally with 15 - another blank could be on the cards for Diego Alonso’s side. Uruguay have actually failed to score in seven of their 15 WCQ matches this edition, but should be motivated to hit the net here as defeat in their previous WCQ home outing means they’re now on the verge of losing successive WCQ home games for the first time since May 2004!

◉ Despite a stunning 4-1 success over Bolivia last time out, Venezuela have already been eliminated from automatic qualification contention, and even if they secure just their second-ever WCQ win in Uruguay (W1, D2, L6) they’ll need a miracle to grab fifth spot.

◉ Venezuela’s wait for a first-ever WC finals appearance therefore looks set to continue, and with only one clean sheet across 15 WCQ matches this edition, and just one win ‘to nil’ across their previous 21, an away upset appears unlikely thanks to a defence that’s conceded more goals on average per game (1.73) this WCQ cycle than all CONMEBOL sides bar one.

◉ Players to watch: Suárez equalled Lionel Messi’s goalscoring record in CONMEBOL WCQ last time out with his 27th such strike, albeit just one has come vs Venezuela. Salomón Rondón’s hat-trick vs Bolivia means Venezuela have won the last eight internationals he’s scored in.

◉ Hot stat: During WCQ, both nations have conceded the most goals between the 31st-45th minute - Uruguay (seven) and Venezuela (six).

Uruguay starting lineup:

Rochet; Araujo, Godin, Gimenez, Olivera; Pellistri, Bentancur, Arambarri, Valverde; Nunez, Suarez

Venezuela starting lineup:

Farinez; Hernandez, Ferraresi, Chancellor, Gonzalez; Martinez, Rincon; Machis, Otero, Soteldo; Rondon

Prediction

Uruguay 2-1 Venezuela

A Rondon-inspired Venezuela are certainly capable of troubling this Uruguay defence despite the telepathic relationship between Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez, with the hosts still finding their feet under Alonso.

However, La Vinotinto have simply capitulated on the road during this Qualifying period, and while this may turn out to be a closer battle than it may look on paper, Uruguay should still get the job done to pile the pressure on Peru.