Venezuela – Chile : Preview & Prediction
Venezuela’s credentials as a genuine threat to qualify for the next World Cup in CONMEBOL qualifying are heading in the right direction after a 1-0 home win over Paraguay and an impressive 1-1 draw against Brazil last time out. The Venezuelan side have made a positive start in their aim to take advantage of the expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 edition, which provides for two more automatic qualifying spots allocated to the CONMEBOL region.
However, it has never qualified for a World Cup before, and considering it is only above Bolivia (#83) in the FIFA Ranking among CONMEBOL teams, Venezuela (#53) still has a long way to go. However, coach Fernando Batista could be the man to guide them to their first appearance on the biggest stage, having lost just once in his first seven games in charge since taking over in March (G4, E2).
Tied on points with the home side after three rounds of World Cup qualifying is visitors Chile, whose 2-0 win over Peru in the last round injected some momentum into a slow start that resulted in just one point after their first two matches. The Chileans will also be looking to capitalize on the additional qualifying spots up for grabs after missing the World Cup finals in both 2018 and 2022.
Avoiding three consecutive World Cup absences will be difficult unless La Roja improve their form, as the win over Peru was only their fourth win in their last 16 matches (E4, P8). Historically, matches with Venezuela have been profitable despite their performance levels at the time, as Chile has beaten the “Vinotinto” in six of the last seven meetings between them (P1).
Players to watch: Salomón Rondón scored the winning goal the last time Venezuela beat Chile, helping his country win 13 of the last 14 games in which he scored (E1). He will need his defenders to keep Chile’s Alexis Sanchez off if he is to continue that record, which is no easy task considering Sanchez has contributed directly to 11 goals (G2, A9) in as many games against Venezuela.
Key stat: Venezuela has won its last three home games by a one-goal margin.
Venezuela – Chile : Betting Tips
Venezuela – Win Odds: 2.25
