Sports Mole previews Wednesday’s World Cup Qualifying – South America clash between Venezuela and Peru, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Peru can leapfrog Venezuela for eighth in CONMEBOL World Cup 2026 qualifying on Tuesday, when they travel to Estadio Monumental de Maturin on matchday 14.
On Thursday, La Vinotinto were beaten 2-1 by Ecuador, giving them just a one-point cushion over Los Incas, who defeated Bolivia 3-1.
Match preview
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After a strong Copa America campaign last summer, which saw them reach the quarter-finals, the Venezuelans have cooled off, going winless in eight consecutive matches across all competitions.
Fernando Batista‘s men have just three points from their previous seven qualifying fixtures, losing the last two by a combined margin of 7-3.
They have picked up 10 of their 12 points in qualifying at home while going undefeated in Venezuela thus far, collecting a 1-1 draw against both Argentina and Brazil in their last two home qualifiers.
Heading into matchday 14, the Venezuelans are seven points behind Colombia for an automatic place in the 2026 finals but only a point back of Bolivia for a spot in the inter-confederation playoffs.
Venezuela have picked up four points from a losing position in qualifying but have also dropped six when scoring first, which could have them within a point of Colombia for that automatic place in the finals.
It has been nearly a dozen years since they previously defeated Peru at home, claiming a 3-2 win in a 2013 World Cup qualifying fixture against them.
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The Peruvians finally emerged victorious from a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, putting them back in contention for that playoff berth.
After 13 matchdays they have 10 points, just three fewer than Bolivia in the battle for that inter-confederation place with five qualifiers remaining.
Oscar Ibanez claimed his first victory as the national team manager on Thursday in what was a maiden match at the helm for the former Copa Sudamericana champion.
Before that, Peru had gone winless in three successive qualifying affairs, failing to find the back of the net in each of those games.
La Bicolor have yet to win an away match in 2026 qualifying and have not scored a single goal as the visitors to this stage of the cycle.
They are unbeaten in their last eight matches played against Venezuela across all competitions, including a 2-1 victory in Caracas in November 2021.
Venezuela World Cup Qualifying – South America form:
Venezuela form (all competitions):
Peru World Cup Qualifying – South America form:
Team News
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From matchday 12 to 13, only three Venezuelans maintained their place in the starting 11, including goalkeeper Rafael Romo, along with Telasco Segovia and Salomon Rondon.
In their defeat to Ecuador, Jesus Bueno collected his first cap for the senior squad, while Renne Rivas and Delvin Alfonzo are looking to make their first appearances with the national team on Tuesday.
Jhonder Cadiz fired home a consolation goal for La Vinotinto in second-half stoppage time last week, his second on the international stage, while Josef Martinez, who was not on the team sheet Friday, can surpass Ruberth Moran for fourth in all-time goals with his next one.
On matchday 13, Peru added six newcomers to their starting 11, Renzo Garces, Luis Abram, Miguel Trauco, Andre Carrillo, Renato Tapia, and Bryan Reyna.
Three Peruvians, Kenji Cabrera, Catriel Cabellos, and Diego Enriquez, are all seeking their first caps with the national team on Tuesday.
Andy Polo got their opener against Bolivia, with record goalscorer Paolo Guerrero and Edison Flores also finding the back of the net in that encounter.
Venezuela possible starting lineup:
Romo; Gonzalez, Mejias, Ferraresi, Makoun; Vargas, Rincon, Segovia, Savarino; Rondon, Josef Martinez
Peru possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Advincula, Garces, Abram, Trauco; Aquino, Tapia, Carrillo; Polo, Flores; Guerrero
We say: Venezuela 1-2 Peru
Venezuela and Peru are second and third, respectively, regarding goals allowed in CONMEBOL qualifying, so we expect each side to find the mark on Tuesday, but we believe the momentum of Los Incas will propel them to another triumph.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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