How Colombia could line up against Venezuela

© Reuters

After a solid 1-0 win in their opening game of the tournament, Colombia may opt to stick with a similar team for Thursday's Copa America clash with Venezuela in Goiania.

Despite the pair notching up 37 goals and 19 assists combined for Atalanta in Serie A this season, manager Reinaldo Rueda opted to leave both Duvan Zapata and Luis Muriel on the bench for Colombia's opening game, instead selecting Miguel Borja and Santos Borre in attack.

After he came off the bench in that game, Zapata may be in line for a starting spot alongside Borja, while Muriel will also be pushing for a place in the XI after he was left as an unused substitute last time out.

Behind the front two, Colombia boast a strong midfield, with Wilmar Barrios and Mateus Uribe forming an impressive pairing in the middle, while Juventus winger Juan Cuadrado will feature on the right flank.

On the left-hand side, Edwin Cardona will hope to start again after he netted the winning goal in the opening win over Ecuador, while Uribe's Porto teammate Luis Diaz will also be pushing for a spot in a quality midfield unit.

Having picked up a clean sheet last time out, Rueda should opt to stick with the same back four, as he preferred Oscar Murillo over Tottenham's Davinson Sanchez to partner Everton centre-back Yerry Mina at the heart of the defence.

They will shield experienced goalkeeper David Ospina, who will make his 109th appearance for Colombia on Thursday.

Colombia possible starting lineup: Ospina; Munoz, Mina, Murillo, Moreno; Cuadrado, Uribe, Barrios, Cardona; Borja, Zapata

> Click here to see how Venezuela could line up for this clash