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Kick off: Sunday, 19 June @00:00 GMT
Venue: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
Live Stream: fuboTV (US), bet365 (non-US)
Head to Head Record
Argentina vs Venezuela 3-0 (2014 World Cup qualifiers)
Venezuela vs Argentina 1-0 (2014 World Cup qualifiers)
Venezuela vs Argentina 0-1 (2011 Friendly International)
Argentina vs Venezuela 4-1 (2011 Friendly International)
Argentina vs Venezuela 4-0 (2010 World Cup qualifiers)
Argentina vs Venezuela Team News
Nicolas Otamendi missed the last training (faringitis), but the Manchester City defender should recover in time to face Venezuela. Javier Pastore and Angel Di Maria remain in the recovery room, while Marcos Rojo should be fit to face la Vinotinto in the Copa America quarter-finals. Lucas Biglia is fit as well and he is widely expected to return to the starting line-up. Leo Messi was rested against Bolivia, but the Argentina ace should be recalled to the starting XI as well.
Injured: Angel Di Maria (75/17), Javier Pastore (27/2)
Doubtful: Nicolas Otamendi (35/2)
Suspended: None
Full back Roberto Rosales has overcome his injury, but he could start from the bench, while Arquimedes Figuera returns to contention after serving his ban against Mexico. Salomon Rondon and Juan Pablo Anor return to the starting line-up after the duo was rested in the 1-1 draw with El Tri. There are no suspended players in Rafael Dudamel’s team.
Injured: None
Doubtful: Roberto Rosales (66/0)
Suspended: None
Quick Facts
- Argentina are on a seven-game winning run ahead of the Venezuela game
- La Albiceleste managed to keep six clean sheets in last eight games at Copa America
- Under 2.5 goals were netted in Venezuela’s last four matches
- Leo Messi has netted 53 goals in 109 appearances for Argentina
- Salomon Rondon could earn his 53rd cap for Venezuela against Argentina
Argentina vs Venezuela Prediction
Venezuela have been playing above expectations at the Copa America Centenario. La Vinotinto did well to beat Uruguay in the group stages, but they face an uphill task in Sunday’s game against high-flying Argentina. La Albiceleste were beaten by Chile in the 2015 Copa America final and, no doubt, they are eager to go all the way at the tournament in USA. Leo Messi returns to the starting line-up and he is likely to prove a handful for the opposition back line.
Betting Tip: Argentina/Argentina
Odds: 1.83 (5/6) @Betfair
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