Preview:Argentina vs Venezuela - prediction, team news, lineups

Table-toppers Argentina welcome Venezuela to Buenos Aires for a World Cup qualifier that will be hugely important for the visitors on Thursday night.

Lionel Scaloni’s men are already safely through, but a lot hinges on the final two matches for Venezuela, who are seeking to claim the CONMEBOL playoff spot.

Match preview

Few nations anywhere in world football will make as lighter work of qualifying than Argentina have in the notoriously difficult South America section.

The Albiceleste have amassed 35 points from their 16 qualifiers, and sit 10 points clear of the nearest challengers Ecuador and Brazil in second and third.

That is despite dropping points at home for just the second time in qualifying last time out, when Scaloni’s men drew 1-1 with Colombia, but they battled well to equalise late on through Thiago Almada despite being reduced to 10 men.

A draw in that fixture ended a four-game winning run, but there is still no doubt that Argentina are the dominant force on the continent, and they will more than likely go into the finals as favourites.

It is not just star-studded attacking talent that has got them over the line though, because Argentina have kept five clean sheets at home in qualifying, and they will expect another, considering they beat Venezuela 3-0 in their last meeting on home soil.

Venezuela held Argentina to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture though, and that point could prove to be crucial, given how tight it is between them and Bolivia for a playoff spot.

The top six is practically decided, so all that is left to play for in CONMEBOL is who will take seventh and go into those inter-continental playoffs next year.

Beating Bolivia on matchday 15 back in June was crucial for La Vinotinto, briefly moving them four points clear of La Verde, but a defeat in Uruguay a few days later paired with Bolivia’s win over Chile means the gap is back to one.

It is tough to see Fernando Batista’s side picking anything up here either, given the level of the opposition, and the fact they have lost six in a row on the road, but Bolivia are also away to Colombia, and are huge outsiders.

That means it is set to go down to matchday 18, where Venezuela host Colombia knowing a win will probably secure a playoff spot, and their superior goal difference means they may only need to match Bolivia’s result against Brazil, with their fate in their own hands.

Argentina World Cup Qualifying form:

Venezuela World Cup Qualifying form:

Team News

With Argentina already assured of top spot, Scaloni has the choice between sticking with his tried-and-tested methods, or experimenting with the next generation, with the likes of Nico Paz and Franco Mastantuono in the squad again.

Lionel Messi should earn his 194th cap regardless though, and he could line up alongside Inter Miami team mate Rodrigo De Paul, who has not lost his spot despite moving to MLS.

Enzo Fernandez is not in the squad due to suspension, while Lisandro Martinez is injured, and there is no place for either Paulo Dybala or Matias Soule, who have both been snubbed once again.

With Jose Contreras out injured again, Rafael Romo should continue between the sticks ahead of Wuilker Farinez in the Venezuela side in what will likely be a largely unchanged XI from the Uruguay defeat.

Jefferson Savarino could win his 50th cap here, but most attention will be paid to their home encounter next week, so there could be some fringe players included here, and that could include the Botafogo man starting on the bench again.

Yangel Herrera is not part of the squad after the Girona man was absent for their defeat at home to Sevilla at the weekend, and will be a big miss over this international window.

Argentina possible starting lineup:

E Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Mac Allister, Almada; Messi, L Martinez, Paz

Venezuela possible starting lineup:

Romo; Aramburu, Navarro, Angel, Ferraresi; J Martinez, Casseres, Bello; D Martinez, Rondon, Soteldo

We say: Argentina 3-0 Venezuela

Argentina have made light work of most encounters in qualifying for the 2026 finals, and Venezuela are unlikely going to cause them too many problems in this one, despite how much is riding on it for them.

Technically, Venezuela could qualify for the playoffs here, but a win looks hugely unlikely, and they may rotate to keep their strongest XI fresh for the pivotal home clash with Colombia next week.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.