Preview: Colombia vs. Venezuela - prediction, team news, lineups

These two sides met almost exactly three months ago in the opening round of matches in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers, which Colombia won 1-0.

Match preview

With this match being played outside of a designated FIFA international break, both teams will head into this match with weaker squads than you would generally see in competitive matches.

Nevertheless, under the guidance of Nestor Lorenzo, Colombia have made great strides and have moved themselves up by two spaces in the FIFA World Rankings over the last year.

The Coffeemakers were in World Cup qualification action last month and continued their good form, winning their last match 1-0 against Paraguay, which followed an incredibly impressive 2-1 victory over Brazil a few days earlier.

Those results also saw them move up to third place in the World Cup qualification standings, now on 12 points after six matches and just three points off the current log leaders Argentina.

In addition, Lorenzo's side are the only side in the CONMEBOL qualifiers that are yet to lose a match, currently boasting a record of three wins and three draws, while they have not tasted defeat in their last 17 in all competitions (including friendlies).

Speaking of improvements, Venezuela have also come a long way from the last World Cup qualifying campaign when they finished last with just 10 points in 18 games.

As it stands, La Vinotinto have qualification in their grasp, currently sitting in fourth place in the standings, three points behind their opponents in this match and two points ahead of South American powerhouse Brazil.

Fernando Batista's side come into this match following back-to-back draws last month, which extended their recent run of results to five matches unbeaten, with their defeat against this opponent being the only one they have conceded in their last 13 in all competitions.

The visitors will also have a slightly stronger squad for this match, with more of their first-team players being available to travel with the squad.

Colombia friendly form:

D

W

W

W

Colombia form (all competitions):

W

D

D

D

W

W

Venezuela friendly form:

W

D

W

W

Venezuela form (all competitions):

L

W

D

W

D

D

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Team News

Both teams announced the squads that would be heading to Florida for this match and Colombia do not have a single player who played their last match present for this one.

However, several MLS players have received call-ups, including Wikelman Carmona, Jesus Bueno, and Andres Reyes, while Fulham's Devan Tanton and Leeds United's Ian Poveda are also included in the squad.

Orlando City's Javier Otero is set to be handed a start for Venezuela between the sticks, while 20-year-old Samuel Rodriguez will provide the backup option in goal.

Otero will have the services of Mineros de Guayana's Rafael Uzcategui and Central Cordoba's Andres Ferro in front of him in the central defensive pairing, while Brayan Alcocer could lead the line at the other end of the field.

Colombia possible starting lineup:

Ospina; Reyes, Vera, Tanton, Velasquez; Cantano, Campuzano, Gomez, Poveda, Cambindo; Hernandez

Venezuela possible starting lineup:

Otero; Uzcategui, Vivas, Ferro, Rivas; Tablante, Bueno, Carmona, Lacava; Riasco, Alcocer

We say: Colombia 1-1 Venezuela

Both managers will relish the opportunity to give some of their younger players a chance in national colours as they build up toward the next round of World Cup qualification matches in June next year. Players will also be keen to impress here, which should make this an entertaining watch, and we feel this one will end in a score draw.

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