In the latest round of fixtures in the South American World Cup Qualifying group, Venezuela welcome Uruguay to Caracas on Wednesday.

The hosts have had a slow start to their qualifying campaign with just three points from their five games, while their visitors sit on seven points and will aim to move further up the group with a win.

Match preview

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Venezuela suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat in their last qualifying game on Thursday, when they travelled to take on Bolivia.

Marcelo Martins opened the scoring for the hosts in the fifth minute, but Venezuela centre-back Jhon Chancellor equalised 20 minutes later before Diego Bejarano restored Bolivia's lead and Martins netted his second goal to put the game out of sight.

That followed an underwhelming start to the qualifying campaign last year, as they picked up three points from their opening four matches, with that solitary victory coming most recently at home to Chile.

Luis Mago put the hosts ahead inside the first 10 minutes, but Arturo Vidal quickly equalised and the game remained level until Salomon Rondon restored his side's lead in the 81st minute to seal all three points.

However, with just three points from five matches, Jose Peseiro's men sit in ninth spot in their qualifying group, with their chances of reaching the World Cup next year continuing to look slimmer.

As a result, they will feel that a victory on Wednesday is necessary if they are to boost their chances of qualifying for the first time in their history.

Their opponents come into this game in a much stronger position to qualify, currently occupying fifth place.

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Uruguay were held to a somewhat disappointing point last time out, as they failed to break the deadlock in a 0-0 draw at home to Paraguay.

Before that, their previous round of qualifying games last year was rounded off with a 2-0 defeat to group leaders Brazil, as Arthur and Richarlison both found the net soon before half time.

After a strong start to qualifying, with two victories and a defeat from their first three games, just one point from their last two matches has seen Uruguay drop slightly down the group, now sitting in fifth spot.

However, they could quickly move back up with fourth-placed Paraguay also sitting on a tally of seven points while third-placed Ecuador remain just two points ahead.

Having reached the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup, Oscar Tabarez's men remain among the favourites to qualify out of their group and reach next year's tournament, and they will be desperate to return to winning ways on Wednesday to hugely boost those chances.

Team News

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Venezuela come into this game without experienced forward Salomon Rondon, who has not been named in the squad for this round of international fixtures.

In his absence, Fernando Aristeguieta could continue to lead the line after he stepped in last time out.

Meanwhile, Josef Martinez will also be hopeful of earning a starting spot, having netted 11 goals in his 52 international appearances.

They will be led by Torino midfielder Tomas Rincon, who recently surpassed 100 appearances for his nation.

The Uruguay line should be led by talisman Luis Suarez, who has scored 63 goals in 117 international games.

Suarez recently inspired Atletico Madrid to a La Liga title with 21 goals and three assists in 32 league outings, and he is expected to partner Jonathan Rodriguez up front.

Tabarez is expected to stick with the experienced back three of Martin Caceres, Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez, with over 300 international appearances between the trio.

Venezuela possible starting lineup:
Graterol; Rosales, Angel, Chancellor, Villanueva; Gonzalez, Casseres, Moreno, Rincon, Otero; Aristeguieta

Uruguay possible starting lineup:
Muslera; Caceres, Godin, Gimenez; Gonzalez, Vecino, Bentancur, Valverde, Vina; Suarez, Rodriguez

We say: Venezuela 0-2 Uruguay

Despite a disappointing run of form, Uruguay should have more than enough to defeat a struggling Venezuela side on Wednesday.

With plenty of quality all across the pitch, it is only a matter of time before La Celeste get back into their groove, and this game presents a great opportunity to reverse their fortunes.

Written by
Sam Varley

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