Brazil v Venezuela – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Brazil host Venezuela at Estádio Cícero Pompeu de Toledo in São Paulo on Saturday night in a 2022 World Cup qualification match. Tite has overseen two wins from two games for the Seleção whilst their opponents have lost both of their matches. Without their talisman in Neymar, Brazil should still have far too much against the country with whom they share a border.

Brazil Form

Having won the Copa America in July 2019, Brazil then played six further friendlies in the calendar year, winning just one of them. However, they have looked back to their best in World Cup qualifying so far, beating Bolivia 5-0 at home and Peru 4-2 away. Roberto Firmino got a brace against Bolivia and Neymar scored a hattrick in the Peru victory albeit thanks to two penalties.

Friendlies aside, Brazil have won six of their last eight competitive matches (with one win on penalties after a draw too) and have not been beaten since losing to Belgium in the 2018 World Cup.

Brazil Team News

Tite will be without Neymar for this game and is also missing Fabinho (injury), Phillipe Coutinho (injury) and Casemiro to Covid-19. The coach could call on one of Gabriel Jesus, Everton or Vinícius Júnior to replace their Paris Saint-Germain star.

Everton’s Allan could take the place of Casemiro alongside Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz in a deeper midfield role. At centre back, 36-year-old Thiago Silva shows no signs of slowing down and remains a key figure.

Brazil Motivation

The Seleção will play to win this game. A draw would be seen as a national disaster so the players will feel pressure to take victory but also to attack and score several goals. If the scores are level in the second half, expect to see Tite throw on extra attackers to try to win.

Venezuela Form

La Vinotinto finished second in their Copa America 2019 group, behind Brazil but ahead of eventual losing finalists, Peru. They drew 0-0 with both teams who contested the final and beat Bolivia 3-1 to progress to the knockout round. They were then eliminated after a 2-0 defeat to Argentina.

Venezuela have started their 2022 World Cup qualifying poorly as they lost 3-0 away to Colombia and 1-0 at home to Paraguay.

Venezuela Team News

Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, who was once assistant to Carlos Queiroz at Real Madrid, does not have many well-known players to call upon. Roberto Rosales from Leganes in La Liga, former Newcastle United striker, Salomón Rondón and 103-cap captain Tomás Rincón of Torino are their most experienced players.

Left-winger, Darwin Machís from Granada is perhaps their best current player and he scored twice in their Copa America victory against Bolivia.

Venezuela Motivation

There is no doubt that a draw would feel like a win for Venezuela in this match. They are likely to play defensively from the start to try to get a point. However, once trailing, they are likely to open up and try to score instead of settling for a low-scoring defeat.

Key Stats

Brazil are unbeaten in 8 competitive matches (6 wins, 2 draws)

Seleção have kept six clean sheets in their last 8 competitive matches

Brazil have scored 12 goals in their last 3 matches, an average of 4 per game

Seleção have seen over 2.5 goals in each of their last 3 matches

Venezuela have lost their last 3 competitive matches

The visitors have failed to score in their last 3 competitive matches

Venezuela have failed to score in 6 of their last 10 matches

Prediction

This looks likely to be a resounding Brazil win despite their absences through injury. Without Neymar, they still won the Copa America final 3-1 against Peru in 2019.

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