World Cup 2022: Argentina Aiming for a Big Finish

Argentina vs Venezuela

Argentina have already booked their place for the 2022 World Cup and Lionel Scaloni’s team will be one of the favourites in Qatar, but there is still some action to come in the CONMEBOL qualifiers, and the Albiceleste will be gunning for three more points when Venezuela are the visitors on Friday. 

In their last outing Argentina beat Colombia 1-0, while Venezuela took a 4-1 thumping from Uruguay and, while the hosts are in second place their visitors are stranded at the bottom of the table, three points adrift of ninth placed Paraguay.

We’re backing the Albiceleste to take three more points on Friday as Lionel Messi and Co look forward to Qatar. 

Talking Points

Argentina can go 30 unbeaten   

Lionel Scaloni has led La Albiceleste to the 2022 World Cup finals with plenty to spare as they sit second in the South American qualifying table, ten points clear of third-placed Ecuador and, with just three games left, their focus is on catching Brazil. They come into this game on the back of a 29 unbeaten run, last losing to the Selecao at the 2019 Copa America. Of course Argentina exacted revenge in the 2020 Copa ending a 28 year wait for a trophy, and they are unbeaten, alongside Brazil, in this qualifying campaign.       

The hosts come into this game without top scorer Lautaro Martinez, who is out with a COVID infection. The Inter Milan man has scored seven goals in qualifying, but he will be happy enough to leave the limelight, just this once, to Messi who will be looking to add to his six goals.

There could be a place for Sevilla’s attacking midfielder Lucas Ocampos. He has been busy with domestic matters as Los Sevillistas have been beset by injury and fallen off the pace in La Liga recently. A home game against Real Sociedad resulted in a 0-0 draw, but Ocampos’ tireless running and attacking instinct was Sevilla’s best chance of a goal and he could give Venezuela’s defence a difficult 90 minutes.     

Argentina’s defence, marshalled by Benfica centre back Nicolas Otamendi, has been superb of late, keeping seven clean sheets in eight games and that gives Venezuela another headache. The World Cup 2022 betting odds will predict a quarter final appearance for the Albiceleste in Qatar, but their ambitions will be higher and Scaloni will be determined to take his team there with a long unbeaten record.

Pekerman is playing for pride   

Rock bottom of the South American group, Venezuela have little to play for other than a chance to move away from the basement and to gain some confidence. They have done well to hold their FIFA rankings at 58^th during such a disappointing campaign, but against an opponent ranked fourth I can’t see things improving all that quickly. Venezuela’s next assignment, at home to Colombia, might be a better opportunity as La Vinotinto beat Bolivia 4-1 the last time they were in front of their own fans.

Head coach Jose Pekerman is an Argentine national and managed the Albiceleste to the 2006 World Cup, and he was Colombia head coach for six years between 2012 and 2018. His task is to lift the spirits of the Vinotinto who have lost nine in 11 games, so with a win and a loss in his first two he’s made a positive start. And while a fast finish with their World Cup 2022 results won’t propel Venezuela far up the South American table, it might just lift them off the foot.

Everton striker Salomon Rondon has four goals in the competition and with 34 in 84 international appearances he is Venezuela’s top scorer of all time. Alongside him Darwin Machis is Venezuela’s ninth top scorer with nine in 34 appearances, and three in this competition. These are the two players tasked with breaking down the rock solid Albiceleste defence.  

History

Argentina have won ten of their 14 encounters with Venezuela, drawing two and losing two and they have won the last three, including the return fixture in this qualifying campaign by 3-1. It was Argentina’s first game since their Copa America triumph and the celebrations continued as Martinez, Angel Correa and Joaquin Correa all scored after Venezuela’s Luis Martinez was red carded for a shocking challenge on Messi.

In terms of very recent form, Argentina have won five and drawn one of the last six games, while Venezuela have won two and lost four.

Betting Tip

Argentina, at SBOTOP odds of 1.15, are pretty much nailed on for this game with Venezuela at 13.96 and the draw at 6.56. Scaloni’s team isn’t about to lose its unbeaten record, particularly on home turf, and they are set to keep the pressure on Brazil at the top of the table.

 

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