Brazil vs Venezuela: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

2026 CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers are underway

The football world is buzzing with anticipation as we approach one of the exciting matches in the 2026 CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers. Brazil, the five-time world champions, are set to welcome Venezuela to the Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba. Brazil is aiming for their third consecutive victory in this tournament, while Venezuela is looking to pull off an astonishing upset by securing back-to-back World Cup qualifiers for the first time since 2009. In this match preview, we will delve into the team dynamics, the players to watch, and the historical context of this encounter.

Brazil, the powerhouse of South American football, is in formidable form as they enter this crucial qualifier. Under the interim head coach, Fernando Diniz, who is also managing Fluminense, Brazil has won their first two games in charge last month. They began with a comfortable 5-1 victory over Bolivia, a match where Rodrygo and Neymar both scored twice. The team's spirit and goal-scoring prowess were on full display. They followed this victory with a narrow 1-0 success against Peru, thanks to a 90th-minute header from Marquinhos.

What's truly remarkable is that Brazil has never lost a World Cup qualifier on home soil. Their perfect record at home extends to 15 matches, dating back to September 2016. During this streak, they have scored an impressive 46 goals while conceding just three. This dominance has cemented their reputation as an indomitable force in South American football.

Venezuela, on the other hand, has shown glimpses of promise under their head coach, Fernando Batista. Batista took charge in March and has won four out of his first six games in all competitions. While they couldn't follow up their back-to-back 1-0 friendly wins over Honduras and Guatemala with victory against Colombia in their opening World Cup qualifier, they quickly bounced back with a 1-0 success over Paraguay.

A defining moment in their recent campaign came when they seemed on course to secure a draw against Paraguay, a team known for its struggles in front of the goal. However, a 90th-minute penalty, awarded after a VAR review, allowed Salomon Rondon to score his 40th international goal, securing all three points for Venezuela.

Historically, Venezuela is the underdog in this encounter. They have only beaten Brazil once in their history, a 2-0 friendly triumph in Boston back in June 2008. The odds are stacked against them, but in football, surprises can happen when you least expect them.

Kick-Off:

Friday, October 13, 2023, 06:00 AM (IST) Arena Pantanal, in Cuiabá, Brazil.

Form

Brazil: L L W L W W

Venezuela: W D W W L W

Players to Watch

Neymar (Brazil)

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player made a much-discussed summer transfer to Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal. The 31-year-old has so far contributed three assists in the Saudi league, but it took him more than a month to score for his new team, coming against FC Nassaji in the AFC Champions League.

In Brazil's Cuiaba, the Al-Hilal celebrity Neymar arrived to raucous applause from his supporters. Before going to the team hotel, he talked with the media.

Yeferson Soteldo (Venezuela)

Yeferson Soteldo is a Venezuelan football player who competes for Santos and the country's squad. He can play as an attacking midfielder, although his primary position is left winger.

Match facts for Brazil vs Venezuela

• Brazil's last 10 home games have featured at least two goals in 7 of those games.
• Brazil's last 10 home games have resulted in 7 clean sheets.
• Venezuela's last 10 away games have resulted in zero victories.
• 9 of Venezuela's last 10 away games have ended in losses.

Team news and Injury

For Brazil, quartet Raphinha, Renan Lodi, Vanderson, and Caio Henrique have withdrawn from the squad due to injury. Joelinton and Eder Militao continue to recover from knee problems and have not been selected. The competition for the left-back position will see Guilherme Arana and the uncapped Carlos Augusto battling for a starting spot alongside Danilo, Marquinhos, and Gabriel Magalhaes.

The goalkeeping position might see Ederson starting for the third consecutive game, ahead of Alisson Becker. In attack, Neymar is set to become Brazil's second most-capped player of all time, and he might be joined by Real Madrid's Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior, as well as either Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus or Tottenham Hotspur's Richarlison.

On the Venezuelan side, head coach Batista is expected to make minimal changes to the lineup that secured a victory against Paraguay. Alexander Gonzalez is set to feature at right-back in a four-man defense alongside Wilker Angel, Yordan Osorio, and Miguel Navarro. Players like Tomas Rincon, Yeferson Soteldo, Roberto Rosales, and Nahuel Ferraresi will be vying for a place in the starting eleven.

Head-to-Head

Matches: 5

Brazil:  4

Draw:  1

Venezuela: 0

Predicted Lineup for Brazil vs Venezuela

Brazil Predicted Lineup:

Ederson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Arana; Guimaraes, Casemiro; Rodrygo, Neymar, Vinicius Jr; Jesus

Venezuela Predicted Lineup:

Romo; Gonzalez, Osorio, Angel, Navarro; Sosa, Rincon, Herrera, Soteldo; Josef Martinez, Rondon

Match Prediction for Brazil vs Venezuela

In terms of form and historical records, Brazil has the upper hand in this fixture. They have not lost a World Cup qualifier since October 2015 and should have no trouble securing all three points in this encounter. Venezuela, however, has been building a positive run under their new coach Batista.Top of Form

Prediction: Brazil- 2 – 0 -Venezuela

The Brazil vs. Venezuela World Cup qualification CONMEBOL match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to secure vital points on the road to the 2026 World Cup. While Brazil is the undisputed favorite, the unpredictability of football always leaves room for surprises. Fans can expect an exciting battle between these two South American powerhouses, with Neymar, Rodrygo, and Salomon Rondon likely to be the key players to watch. Don't miss the action on Friday, as we witness an epic clash in Cuiaba, where footballing dreams and aspirations hang in the balance.

Telecast

India: FanCode

UK: CONMEBOL TV

USA: Vix, Telemundo, Fubo, Fanatiz, Universo

Nigeria: FIFA+