Venezuela vs Argentina: Reigning Copa America winners look to restart WC qualification on high note

Topics: TV Schedules, TV Listings, Argentina, Venezuela, CONMEBOL, 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers

Reigning Copa America winners will hope to resume action on a high note as they take on struggling Venezuela in CONMEBOL World Cup 2022 qualifiers.

Preview: Venezuela vs Argentina

Two teams with vastly contrasting fortunes are set to square off as CONMEBOL's qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup gets underway. On one side will be Venezuela, who sit in the penultimate position in the table. On the other, Argentina, who will be keen on closing the gap between themselves and table-leaders Brazil ahead of their crunch clash in just a few days' time.

La Vinotinto have picked up just four points from their first six games, and that includes losses in four of them. The hosts started off their World Cup qualifying process on an awful note, losing consecutive games to Colombia, Paraguay, and Brazil. However, they did recover to record a confidence-boosting 2-1 win over two-time Copa America winners Chile, and despite suffering a 3-1 reversal to Bolivia, managed to hold Uruguay to a scoreless draw in their last game before the Copa America.

Unfortunately, the Copa America was an utter disaster for Venezuela, who finished bottom of their group after earning a measly two points, and now it's up to interim coach Leonardo Gonzalez to try to turn things around when Argentina come to town.

It obviously won't be easy, that's for sure. Lionel Scaloni's side are presently on a 20 match unbeaten streak across all comps and that includes their six games played in World Cup qualifying. They do have some ground to make up on Brazil, who have been imperious thus far and have picked up 18 points versus Argentina's 12. But given the weakness of their upcoming opponents, La Albiceleste should be able to take care of business without much fuss and turn their focus towards their titanic tussle with Brazil looming on the horizon.

Team news: Venezuela vs Argentina

Venezuela: COVID-19 really hit the Venezuela squad hard earlier this year, but fortunately for the struggling hosts, they'll have pretty much all their key players recover ahead of this tough clash. That includes players like Josef Martinez and record goalscorer Salomon Rondon, both of whom will really need to have a top match if the hosts want to have any shot of causing a shock upset against Argentina.

Argentina: Sergio Aguero will miss this match due to injury, but Argentina, who are already the heavy favorites, will have more than enough options up front to get the job done in this upcoming tie.

Match facts: Venezuela vs Argentina

Venezuela have won just four of their last 29 World Cup qualifying matches
In addition, they've managed to keep just two clean sheets in their last 11 games across all comps
Meanwhile, Argentina come into this contest on a 20 game unbeaten run across all comps