Venezuela vs Bolivia
South American – FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Date: Thursday, 10th November 2016,
Kick Off at 23:30 UK.
Venue: Estadio Monumental de Maturin, Maturin.
Venezuela are rock bottom of the group and the only country that has failed to win a qualifier. With 2 points from a possible 30 their remote World Cup chances are over for another campaign but they can move off the bottom if they beat 9th placed Bolivia on Thursday.
Los Criollos lost 0-2 at home to Brazil last time out and have lost 4/5. The only point came at home against Argentina in a shock 2-2 draw. Venezuela have scored in 1/4 games and conceded in all 10 games so far, with 2 or more in 9/10 and the last 9.
At home it's similar reading, 1 draw in 5 with 4 losses. They have scored in 3/4 but more than once on just a single occasion. Defensively, the last 4 visitors have scored 2 or more against them and needing 2 goals just to draw games is a huge ask at any level.
Bolivia
Bolivia are not much better than Venezuela, they have 4 points courtesy of a 4-2 home win over Thursday's opponents which is their only win of the group.
La Verde held Ecuador to a 2-2 draw at home last time out. Other than the Venezuela win this is the only time they have avoided defeat in 10 games. The draw breaks a run of 6 straight losses, with the last 4 to nil and 4/6 by 2 goals or more.
Away from home and without the advantage of altitude, Bolivia are woeful losing all 5 games, 4/5 to nil, netting just once. Every opponent has scored 2 goals or more against them with the last 2 defeats combined coming by 8 goals to nil.
Betting Verdict
I like Venezuela to win this game on Thursday night and move off the bottom of the group. The 2-2 draw with Argentina was impressive and whilst they concede goals, at home they should get plenty of chances against a Bolivia side that rarely puts up a fight.
Most of their away losses have come to nil and with Venezuela winning the last 4 at home to Bolivia I'm going to back them to do so again. At -1 AH if they do win I think it will be by 2 goals or more as is the case in 4/5 Bolivia away losses.
The visitors haven't scored on their travels since November 2015, the Venezuelans can't be trusted at the back but there's goals in this for them. The over line looks taking on as well but with keeping 2-0 onside I will take Venezuela -1AH.
Venezuela vs Bolivia: Head-to-Head Stats
The first leg clash between the two sides at La Paz on November 2015 ended in a 4-2 win for Bolivia.
Bolivia are unbeaten in the last 4 matches against Venezuela in all competitions with 2 wins and 2 draws. However, only one of the three fixtures were hosted by Venezuela.
Venezuela haven’t lost to Bolivia in the last 5 World Cup Qualifying matches at home, picking up wins in the last 4.
The latest Bolivian visit to Venezuela was for a friendly on September 2013, which ended all square at 2-2 score-line.
Venezuela vs Bolivia: Prediction
These two teams are in equally bad form, but Venezuela could go in as favourites to win this one on the back of their good head-to-head record at home against Bolivia. Also Bolivia have lost all their 5 away matches in the qualifying campaign this term. It is fair to say that they are win-less on the road since in qualifiers since calendar year 2000. Venezuela can be backed for a win and it is a worthy option at the odds of 1.60. This one could be used as a banker for combination and accumulator bets.
Considering the defensive vulnerabilities of both teams, we might well see over 2.5 goals on Wednesday.
Venezuela vs Bolivia: Betting Tips
Venezuela to win at 3/5 (1.60)
Over 2.5 goals at 8/11 (1.73).
