Guatemalavs.Venezuela

La Bicolor were beaten by Ecuador earlier this week, while their South American counterparts suffered defeat at the hands of European champions Italy.

Match preview

With one eye on the upcoming Copa America - which is to be hosted in the United States this summer - Venezuela submitted themselves to a tough test on Thursday, when they tackled Italy at Miami's Chase Stadium.

Fernando Batista's side spurned an early penalty, as veteran striker Salomon Rondon saw his spot-kick saved by the imposing Gianluigi Donnarumma, and despite Darwin Machis grabbing an equaliser just before half time, they ultimately went down to a 2-1 defeat.

Though La Vinotinto did not prevail in midweek, there are still signs they can make an impact upon returning to American soil in late June, when they will be pitted against Mexico, Ecuador and Jamaica in Group B of CONMEBOL's continental championship.

At an early stage of the South American section of World Cup qualifying, Venezuela are promising to improve on a dismal campaign last time around: on the road to Qatar 2022, they finished rock-bottom with just 10 points from 18 games.

Batista's squad now sit fourth in the standings - two points ahead of regional giants Brazil - and having held the star-studded Selecao to a draw at the end of last year, they have lost only three times in their last 15 matches.

While Venezuela are building some momentum, Guatemala are still struggling to find a positive result, with their latest loss coming in Thursday's friendly encounter with Ecuador in New Jersey.

Luis Fernando Tena's team have now gone seven games without a win, stretching back to last September, when they toppled El Salvador in the CONCACAF Nations League.

A series of setbacks then saw La Bicolor exit that competition, and they have since endured a serious goal drought, failing to score in four successive matches.

Long-shot outsiders to reach the next global finals, Guatemala's World Cup qualifying campaign begins in June. They are expected to progress from a second-round group also featuring Dominica, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica - going any further, though, could prove a bridge too far.

Ahead of Sunday's game in Texas, the Central American nation have been waiting over 15 years to taste victory over any team from the CONMEBOL region, so expectations are suitably low.

Guatemala friendly form:

L

L

Guatemala form (all competitions):

D

L

L

D

L

L

Venezuela friendly form:

L

Venezuela form (all competitions):

D

W

D

D

L

L

Team News

Luis Fernando Tena may be tempted to make changes in attack this weekend, as Guatemala have not scored a single goal since Oscar Santis and Rubio Rubin both found the net against Trinidad and Tobago last October.

Santis may be promoted to the starting lineup after beginning Thursday's game on the bench, while Queretaro striker Rubin is likely to be retained.

USA-based pair Aaron Herrera and Nicholas Hagen should start at right-back and in goal respectively, as two of just five players that ply their trade outside of Guatemala.

Venezuela, meanwhile, are without Gremio winger Yeferson Soteldo and Girona midfielder Yangel Herrera this month, but all-time leading scorer Salomon Rondon - whose missed penalty against Italy leaves him on 41 international goals - should start up front.

The former Everton striker has scored regularly in Liga MX this season and is joined in the squad by fellow veteran Tomas Rincon, who could partner Philadelphia Union's Jose Martinez in central midfield.

Guatemala possible starting lineup:

Hagen; Herrera, Pinto, Samayoa, Ardon; Galindo, Castellanos, Saravia, Mejia; Santis, Rubin

Venezuela possible starting lineup:

Romo; Gonzalez, Osorio, Angel, Navarro; Savarino, Martinez, Rincon, Murillo; Machis, Rondon

We say: Guatemala 0-2 Venezuela

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