International Friendly Preview: Venezuela v Bolivia

Venezuela take on Bolivia on Wednesday with both sides looking to rediscover their form ahead of crucial FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Bolivia have slim hopes of reaching next year’s tournament in Brazil after just one win in their last four competitive games, and need to beat Paraguay and Ecuador to have any chance of making it through.

Venezuela’s prospects are somewhat brighter, Cesar Farias’ men have taken eight points from their previous six qualifiers and sit level on points with Uruguay – who occupy the intercontinental play-off spot – with three games still to play.

Still, after falling to defeat to Uruguay in their last outing, and with crunch games against Chile and Peru to come in September, Farias will be aware of the need to find some momentum against Xabier Azkargorta’s side.

Rubin Kazan’s Salomon Rondon, who has four goals in qualifying, is unsurprisingly included in Farias’ squad.

Fulham’s Fernando Amorebieta has also been selected, with Hamburg midfielder Tomas Rincon and the Nantes trio of Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, Gabriel Cichero and Fernando Aristeguieta all receiving call-ups.

Bolivia will likely look to Carlos Saucedo, who has five goals in eight appearances, to provide the goalscoring threat going forward, with Marcelo Moreno – four goals in qualifying – out through injury.

Vladimir Castellon has been called into the squad to replace Moreno, and could make his debut if he is thrown into the action at Estadio Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo, San Cristobal.

The two teams shared the spoils in their last meeting, Jhasmany Campos earning a point for Bolivia with a late equaliser after Juan Arango had given Venezuela the lead.

Venezuela took a 1-0 victory the last time they hosted the Bolivians in 2011, but they know that result will mean little after winning just two of their last six home fixtures.

However, Bolivia’s away record leaves little to be desired, Azkargorta’s men have conceded eight goals in their previous two games on their travels, and Venezuela should be favourites to seal a comfortable win in this one.